Anthon's Bakery (Gone)
Pittsburgh, PA
Photo courtesy Jim Zahniser

Here's one of those old storefronts that looks like it belonged on Main Street USA. Anthon's Bakery in Pittsburgh's East Liberty neighborhood had the whole package, with Bakery, Restaurant and Deli spelled out across the front in big old-fashioned lettering. The teal and cream facade certainly gave Penn Avenue some personality. 01-13

Anthon's had been around for decades and was a familiar stop during East Liberty's busy shopping days. Along with the baked goods and restaurant fare, the place was remembered for something called a "Frosty Chocolate," an ice cream concoction that apparently had quite a following.

The building itself dates all the way back to 1888, although that colorful Anthon's storefront came much later. By the time this shot was taken, the old facade was already looking like a survivor from another era.

UPDATE: Anthon's eventually closed and the familiar storefront was removed as the building was renovated. The 1888 building itself survives along Penn Avenue. 08-26

Stagno's Bakery (Closed)
Pittsburgh, PA
Photo courtesy Jim Zahniser

Take a look at the fading colors on Stagno's Bakery in Pittsburgh. The old storefront panels had started to wrinkle, peel and curl away from the building, giving this former bakery a pretty weathered roadside look by the time this shot was taken. 01-13

Stagno's was once a familiar name around Pittsburgh, turning out Italian bread, rolls and pizza crusts for restaurants and grocery stores around the area. The bakery was part of Larimer, a neighborhood with deep Italian roots that was once known as Pittsburgh's Little Italy.

One neat detail showed up as the newer facade deteriorated. Beneath those crumbling panels, pieces of an even older hand-painted Stagno's sign started peeking through. Sometimes a building reveals its own history without anybody doing much at all.

UPDATE: Stagno's has been closed for years, and the old bakery complex remains along Auburn Street. The property was listed for redevelopment in 2026. 08-26

Greb's Bakery (Gone)
Pittsburgh, PA
Photo courtesy Jim Zahniser

Here's another old Pittsburgh bakery storefront that looked like it had been frozen in time. Greb's Bakery on the South Side sported green and cream panels, curved display windows and plenty of old-fashioned lettering. Definitely the kind of place that made you wonder what was inside when you drove past. 01-13

Greb's had been a neighborhood favorite for decades, known for cupcakes, pound cakes, Danish pastries and plenty of buttercream. Around Easter, the bakery also turned out those old-fashioned cake and butter lambs that Pittsburghers seem to remember especially well.

Here's the unexpected part. After the bakery closed, the building got a brief taste of Hollywood. In 2014 it was dressed up as a movie set for The Last Witch Hunter starring Vin Diesel and Elijah Wood.

UPDATE: Greb's remains closed and the old bakery signage is gone. The building was sold in 2024, with plans underway by 2026 to reuse the former storefront as a neighborhood fitness gym. 08-26