We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sergio DeBari a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Sergio thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

We started off as just a bakery, but I saw more. I wanted more. So I took the risk. What was once just an over the counter bakery, is now almost a full blown restaurant, with pizza, pasta and even beer and wine.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

It’s a family business that actually started long before our family owned it. The original bakery started in the mid 40s, in Santa Fe, back when bread was delivered door to door, like milk! The bakery had a fleet of trucks. Thrived through the decades. Then in 1980 my dad and grandpa purchased the bakery. My dad, Frank, actually started as a customer. He would go by every Friday for his treats. One day he saw it was for sale. My grandpa Sergio, who lived in Chicago at the time, was looking to stay busy is his retirement. He came from Italy and owned a grocery store, so he had some knowledge on retail. What better chance to not only get our of the big city, but to run a business with his son.
So that’s exactly what they did. It’s been in the family now 45years. We moved to Albuquerque back in 2000 as business in Santa Fe had changed. I, Sergio, recently took it over from my dad about 8 years ago. and hope to someday pass it down to my son.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Covid! Covid had a huge impact on us. Not only retail wise, but commercial wise as well. We had no business. Although considered essential, no one was coming to support. I made fresh bread everyday to try to make a little money, but it just didn’t happen. It was definitely a scary time for us, not knowing the outcome. I was able to get a small SBA that helped us through. Without that, we might not be here today.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

You can’t be afraid of change. Although scary, it’s a necessity at times. For us, just an old fashioned bakery was no longer a destination like it was in the old days. We had to change, that’s when we started pizza and lunches. So now you come for lunch, but stay for the baked goods.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sergiosbakeryandcafe.com
• Instagram: Sergio’s Bakery and Cafe
• Facebook: Sergio’s Bakery and Cafe