Quick Take
Watsonville’s Freedom Bakery is celebrating its 50th anniversary this month with a nonprofit partnership, baked goods donations and educational programs.
Watsonville’s Freedom Bakery is celebrating its 50th anniversary this month.
In honor of its golden anniversary, the Hangar Way bakery is partnering with Cake4Kids and will donate all baked goods for the nonprofit’s booth at the Monterey County Fair in late August. The business will also be offering opportunities for educational field trips and a college scholarship program in the coming school year for incoming high school seniors.
Known for its cakes, Freedom Bakery also pioneered the photo cookie, which sees its butter shortbread cookies printed with personalized photos.
Founded on Aug. 11, 1975, by Tony Liu, the bakery is now run by second-generation owners Paul and Anna Liu. Tony plans to retire this month, on the anniversary of the bakery’s opening.
After successfully running and selling a Freedom Bakery location in San Jose with his brother, Gary, in the 1990s, Paul moved back to Watsonville to help his parents run the bakery. He took over the business in the early 2000s, helping navigate the 2008 financial crisis and the pandemic, which forced the bakery to explore all options to help the family business stay afloat.
The bakery has expanded over the years, moving from its original spot on Freedom Boulevard to 125 Hangar Way. The family also opened a location in Monterey last summer.
Educators and counselors can learn more about the field trip and scholarship opportunities at the bakery’s website.
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