Iconic Hastings bakery, deli closing after serving community for decades

For decades, a family-owned bakery in Hastings has been a favorite for so many.

Emily’s Bakery and Deli is closing down at the end of the month, but not without a last-ditch effort to save it.

"All of us behind the counter are walking away, at times, just in tears," said Norine Bishop, co-owner of Emily’s Bakery and Deli.

"It’s just the best place ever," said Marge Staiger, who lives in Hastings and has been visiting Emily’s for 60 years.

"I don’t know, it’s just a great little stop," said Linda Winston, who drives from Eagan to enjoy Emily’s.

"It’s been in our family for over 75 years, and as a bakery in this town for about 115 years," Bishop said.

Co-owner Norine Bishop says their lease is up at the end of the month and they made the difficult announcement this week that they’ll close.

"There’s people just telling me how devastated they are, every day I’ve had people coming in and crying on my shoulder," Bishop said.

"I wanted to cry, I literally did. I come in every week, pick up my order and now I don’t know what we’re going to do," Staiger said.

Ownership says the biggest issue they’re having is staffing and filling the key roles to keep Emily’s open.

"We’ve never had problems like we are now," Bishop said.

To try and save the iconic bakery and deli, some of the most diehard doughnut fans have even offered to work there. While Bishop appreciates the gesture, she admits they’re looking for such specific hires.

"It’d have to be people who really know what they’re doing, especially in the production area, we can’t teach a lot of what we do. It has to be people who have experience in commercial baking," Bishop said.

This family business has served generations and their last day is Nov. 27. Bishop says while these last few weeks will be full of emotions, Emily’s is grateful for all the memories.

"We’ve got a lot of people looking down on us that are proud of us and know that we gave it our all," Bishop said.