CANTON Ownership has changed hands, but the Norcia Bakery recipes are intact, and it seems that everybody loves a pepperoni roll. John Norcia launched the Italian bakery in 1918 and it still is going strong after a century. The Norcia family immigrated from Italy early in the 20th century, bringing the original recipe for bread and hard rolls. Mike and Patti Braun own the bakery today. They took over in 2014, buying the business from Donald and Nancy Horne, who bought it from the Norcia family in 1978.

Mike Braun had worked for North Central Tire in Perry Township. When the local tire business was sold to national chain American Tire Distributor, Braun sought his own business opportunity and acquired Norcia Bakery. Brian Lake, who worked with Braun at North Central, came to Norcia to direct operations.