Schwebel Baking Company will liquidate after 120 years in business

by: Marty Burke, Katelyn Amato, Lindsey Watson, Jeremy Jones
Posted: Jun 17, 2026 / 06:04 PM EDT
Updated: Jun 17, 2026 / 10:41 PM EDT

BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN) — A Youngstown staple is shutting down, as Schwebel Baking Company has announced it will liquidate its business after 120 years in operation.

According to a press release, the wind-down will include the company’s bakeries in Youngstown and Hebron, as well as its retail stores and distribution centers across the tri-state area. The company plans to operate through the weekend of July 4 and wind down its operations throughout the summer. ... The release says it comes as the company has faced significant operational and financial constraints for years, including aging manufacturing facilities and equipment, labor costs and pension obligations, and consumer trends.

Steve Cooper, a veteran bakery professional and chief executive officer of Schwebel Baking Company, says they tried to find a buyer before shutting down, but with no success, they’ve now begun the liquidation process.

“The Schwebel’s brand has been known for the highest quality of bread, buns and other bakery products for over 100 years, and we are devastated to reach the point where liquidation is the only remaining option,” Cooper stated in the release “We’ve worked with our advisors for several months to identify a buyer or investment source, however despite significant efforts to adapt to changing market conditions and secure additional investment, the company was unable to establish a sustainable path forward.”

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