After 25 years, this State College bakery is ‘passing the knead’ to new owners
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Gemelli Bakers transfers ownership after 25 years; John Schaffer assumes control
- Shop will keep signature recipes and schedules; Schaffer plans expanded services
- Gemelli continues retail hours and farmers market presence while scaling offerings
A State College bakery is ready to start a new chapter after more than a quarter-century in business.
Gemelli Bakers is now under new ownership following 25 years of operations at 129 McAllister Alley, the shop announced Monday. Longtime owner Tony Sapia is “passing the knead” to John Schaffer, who owns the Antifragile Brewing Co. taproom and brewery on Calder Way.
“The warmth and hearth of the community is passing to a new generation,” Gemelli Bakers wrote in a statement. “As Tony Sapia begins to rest his hands from devoted hours, the hands that first coaxed a wild sourdough starter to life have now taught their alchemist’s magic to John Schaffer and team, ensuring the delicate mix of grain, water, salt and time will live on.”
Sapia’s tucked-away shop is named in recognition of his sons, as “Gemelli” translates to “twins” in Italian. The former Wall Street worker began baking bread for sale in the early 2000s before launching his own shop and expanding with wholesale partnership throughout the State College area.
“Everything has an end, but a loaf of bread has two,” Sapia said in a statement. “There is the beginning, which is closing for me, and there is the next beginning, which John will now nurture and raise.”
“This community has given me so much,” Sapia continued. “The bakery will remain baking and crafting the very best breads and provide wonderful taste [and] memories in each loaf. I have every confidence that John and his team will honor that spirit.”
Schaffer, who previously worked under Sapia as a bartender at the now-closed Tony’s Big Easy, said he feels honored to continue Gemelli’s work in State College. His cheesesteak food truck, Uncle John’s Jawns, serves fresh-made sandwiches on Gemelli Bakers rolls outside Antifragile Brewing Co. at 324 E. Calder Way.
As the bakery’s new owner, Schaffer said he will work to continue its legacy while growing its brand.
“We have a lot of plans as we lead Gemelli into its 26th year,” Schaffer said in a statement. “In time, customers can look forward to expanded offerings, hours, online ordering and some other ways of bringing community together around food.”
New ownership will continue using Gemelli Bakers’ beloved recipes for products like baguettes, sourdough loaves, pretzel rolls, croissants, focaccia and more. Schaffer expressed interest in building upon the shop’s staple offerings, too.
The Gemelli Bakers shop is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. You can also find its wide range of artisan breads, baked goods, cookies and more at the Boalsburg Farmers Market on Tuesdays and the North Atherton Farmers Market on Saturdays from mid-May through early November.
This story was originally published November 17, 2025 at 2:29 PM.
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