Sudbury·Northern Nosh

Sudbury Finnish bakery celebrating 60 years in business

Up North host Jonathan Pinto chats with head baker Aaron Laakso.

Leinala's Bakery known for jelly pigs, pulla and other Finnish treats

Co-founder Arvi Leinala (left) with daughter Marjaana Laakso, who currently owns the bakery with her husband Mark. (Supplied by Aaron Laakso)

One of Sudbury's most beloved family bakeries is celebrating 60 years in business next month.

Leinala's Bakery is known for its jelly pigs, pulla, meat pies and other Finnish treats.  It was one of the first places I'd visited in Sudbury after receiving a tip from listener Stefan Skogberg.

Head baker Aaron Laakso. (Supplied by Aaron Laakso)

To learn more about the business, I reached head baker and manager Aaron Laakso.

Tap on the player to hear our conversation.

Jonathan Pinto spoke with Aaron Laakso, head baker at Leinala's, a Finnish bakery in Sudbury that is celebrating 60 years in business.

Leinala's Bakery is located at 272 Caswell Dr. in Sudbury.

Co-founder Elli Leinala in 1970. (Supplied by Aaron Laakso)
The bakery's previous location on Antwerp Avenue. After this story was published, reader Kari Hirsimaki sent a message noting that this picture is of his mother, Aino Hirsimaki, and that it was taken in the early 1970s. (Supplied by Aaron Laakso)

"Northern Nosh" is a new weekly feature on Up North, CBC Radio One's regional afternoon show for northern Ontario. If you know of a restaurant, bakery or farm you think would make a great story, get in touch! 

Send an email to [email protected], message us on Facebook or Twitter — or call 1-844-85NORTH.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jonathan Pinto is the host of Up North, CBC Radio One's regional afternoon show for Northern Ontario and is based in Sudbury. He was formerly a reporter/editor and an associate producer at CBC Windsor. Email [email protected].