Italian Bakery's 97 Street site hits auction block with $990K opening bid
The iconic Chinatown bakery closed in early 2025 after 60 years at the location. The mixed-use building includes retail, residential, and office space.
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A piece of Edmonton's confectionery history is on the auction block — the former home of the iconic Italian Bakery on 97 Street in Chinatown, with an opening minimum bid under $1 million.
Started in 1960 by Antonio Frattin and Aurora Frattin, the Italian Bakery began on 93 Street but came alive when it moved to 10644 97 St. two years later. At its peak, the bakery and grocery welcomed cannoli-lovers from across Edmonton and beyond. Despite a 60-year history at the site, the existing building is one of Downtown Edmonton's newest, as the original structure burned down in 2016 and was replaced with new steel-and-block construction in 2023.
The bakery shuttered in early 2025. Neighbourhood changes and a loss of foot traffic in the wake of the pandemic were among factors cited in the closure. The longtime family business survives and thrives in its Beverly location at 4118 118 Ave.
The mixed-use building offers about 14,469 square feet under roof on a 9,800-square-foot lot — currently configured as first-floor retail, a second-floor private penthouse residential suite with elevator and Edmonton skyline views, and a separate office suite, sweetened with an adjacent 9,973-square-foot fenced lot. The property was previously listed at $2.3 million, but the current opening minimum is $990,000.
Valeria Vazquez, an auction specialist with international property auction house FRE, said interested parties are already lining up. "We would imagine that some kind of grocery or bakery can see value in the current layout, but we've had buyers come to us with office business use, and they like that they can have an open workplace on the ground level, and then the private office upstairs." The owner is accepting offers between now and August 27, but the auction could end at any time with an acceptable offer.
The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce has high hopes for the property. Chamber president and CEO Doug Griffiths said the area is ripe for fresh perspective. "With the opportunity for new buyers to acquire the land, the area is ripe for a fresh perspective that can breathe new life into a part of the city that has struggled of late." Prospective buyers can register at the property profile page and arrange viewings with exclusive brokers Cushman and Wakefield in Edmonton.
At a glance
Where is the Italian Bakery building being auctioned?
The former Italian Bakery building is located at 10644 97 Street in Edmonton's Chinatown.
When did the Italian Bakery at this location close?
The Italian Bakery closed in early 2025 after 60 years at the 97 Street site.
What is the opening bid for the property?
The opening minimum bid is $990,000 for the mixed-use building.
When is the auction deadline?
The owner is accepting offers until August 27, 2026, though the auction could end earlier if an acceptable offer is received.
