West Street bakery changes hands after 28 years

Fanny and Aaron LiFanny and Aaron Li with their team at the bakery

Two well-loved business owners will say goodbye to the community they have served for 28 years this Saturday, when the duo retire from running the Umina Hot Bread Kitchen.

Co-owners Fanny and Aaron Li have been serving customers their beloved Pork and Chicken Vietnamese rolls for the past 28 years but have decided now is the time for them to retire.

The West St bakery and café has now changed hands to a new owner who is committed to keeping the business as it is.

Sue Long, who has been working at the café for six years, said it is a well-deserved break for Fanny and Aaron.

“They’ve been here for 28 years this August – they have worked all their lives, six days a week, 7am till 5pm,” Long said.

“They are lovely people and we’ve now become the best of friends.

“Our regular customers are sad, very sad.

“We have all become friends with them, watched their kids grow up and then their kids.”

Regular customer, Gary Sing, said it was sad to see Fanny and Aaron retire, but wished them the best.

“Everyone will miss them,” Sing said.

“They’ve been there for 28 years and we all have got to know them.

“They’ve been part of the furniture for 28 years.”

Maisy Rae