WEST PITTSTON -- Some people may of heard of the Hitchner Biscuit Company in West Pittston. It closed 61 years ago, but on Friday, a new chapter began in the storied career of the building on Exeter Avenue as it was officially dedicated.
A fresh coat of paint allows the Hitchner Biscuit logo to stand out on the outside of the more than 100 year old building.
The bakery and ovens and machines are long gone, but new are the 18 apartments inside the building now owned by United Neighborhood Community Development Corporation.
Boyd Hitchner is the great-grandson of the bakery's founder Joseph Hitchner. He said he's happy to see the memories of his family's company live on.
"West Pittston people have always loved this building. It’s always been the bakery, not just the Hitchner building. It’s nice to see the logos on the wall again and yea it makes us very proud," said Boyd Hitchner.
The construction crew kept the history alive by building a stairwell in the middle of one of the original Hitchner ovens.
The building's community room was built inside the other oven, just down the hall from Barbara Pettinato's apartment.
"I love it. It’s beautiful. It’s like a city apartment in a home town setting and it’s beautiful. It’s a handicapped apartment which is what I need," said Pettinato.
Ann Marie Allen also just moved in with her husband and daughter.
"I love it. It’s great. Finding out about the history of the building. Everything here was amazing," said Allen.
United Neighborhood officials said only two of the building's 18 apartments have yet to be rented.