Summerville Bake Shop Thrives on Faith, Family, Authenticity, & Secret Ingredient

Jeff Walker,  Entertainment Writer / Food & Beverage Review

There are decent amount of bakeries scattered throughout greater Charleston. While several of them do incredible work, most focus on cakes, cupcakes, and everyday sweet treats. When you separate the few that rise above the rest, those creating signature pastries and breads, the remaining list gets significantly smaller. 

Diving deeper, regarding bakeries making their baked goods 100 percent from scratch, sadly the list dwindles to near zero. However, that changed in October of 2024 when Talucci's Bakery threw open their doors at 145 Central Avenue in downtown Summerville. Owned and operated by Charles and Jacklyn Talucci, their family run bakery thrives on 'baking the Italian way'. And trust me, Charles doesn't cut corners when it comes to authenticity. 

The reaction from Summerville residents since Talucci's debut has been beyond overwhelming, with patrons lining up early on Saturday mornings, to buy fresh bread and pastries Charles has been baking long before sunrise. Following is his father's (Olympic Chef Tony Talucci) footsteps, and schooled at the renowned Baltimore International Culinary College, Charles brings over two decades of experience to Talucci's Bakery.

Former Yankees such as myself understand northern communities were built around Jewish owned delis, family operated Italian pizzerias, and bakeries run by both German and Italian descendants. Every neighborhood had a host of these go to destinations for bagels, sandwiches, pizza, cakes, and pastries.

With so many people from the tri-state area (NY, NJ, & Conn) as well as Pennsylvania and New England residing in greater Summerville, Talucci's Bakery is a welcome addition to historic Flowertown district.

Whether you're familiar with original Italian bakeries, or visiting Talucci's for the first time, you'll have either an easy or a hard decision to make. The easy decision is 'give me a little of everything in your case today'. I'll take some eclairs, cannolis, biscotti, and while you're at it box up an Italian Ricotta Cheesecake Torte. 

The hardest choice you're going to have to wrestle with at Talucci's is, 'with so many freakin awesome dolce treats and breads to choose from where do I begin'. While Charles is every bit a master baker, he's more an incredibly gifted 'dessert artist', with every hand-crafted sweet treat carrying his stamp of approval before it leaves the kitchen.

Despite having no Italian blood in me, being raised around Italian families in Jersey I often proclaim 'if you cut me I bleed marinara'. Whether it was pizza, pasta, or desserts, I was raised eating authentic Italian food during my childhood. That said, Talucci's Bakery is the real deal.

I've spent the better part of 40 plus years living in Charleston, and I can say with assuredness, aside from the neighborhood locales from my youth in Jersey, I've never had a cannoli as good as the ones I've had at Talucci's since I been a South Carolina resident. It's beyond explanation. An ideal blend of ricotta, mascarpone, and whipping cream with chocolate chips, folded inside a sweet and tender oversized shell. Delicioso! 

Much like creme brulee, tiramasu is one of the most popular desserts in Charleston. Charles' Tiramasu is lighter blend of mascarpone (soft Italian creme cheese) rolled into coffee infused pastry. It's crafted so that no one flavor overtakes the other, providing an ideal pick me up taste sensation. The Strawberry Cake is equally as airy. 

Both flavors along with four additional come as a torte (a heavier nut flour enhanced round cake). For those suffering from gluten allergies Charles offers up a Flourless Chocolate Torte. The aforementioned are all ample desserts easily shared by two. Charles makes genuine biscotti aka Italian almond biscuits, pistachio honey croissants, muffins, as well as fresh sesame and poppy seed bagels. Something for everyone at Talucci's Bakery.

Early accounts list the Italian Sfogliatelle as the most sought after dessert. Originating in the Campania region of Italy sfogliatelle is a shell-shaped thinly layered pastry consisting of a sweet or creamy filling. Very few bakers, let along Italian bakers make this delicacy, mainly because it takes a skilled artisan. Charles puts his out around noon, and the word is, 'get there early'.

Diehards come in on a regular basis to purchase loaves of Charles' traditional focaccia (flat leavened Italian bread) and his semolina bread. The semolina flour gives the bread a fantastic golden hue and a crusty exterior. The upside is it's high in fiber and protein. 

Both breads complement pasta dinners, with the semolina often doubling as a hearty hoagie roll. Or you can just enjoy these two uniquely different Italian breads on their own, with sweet creamy butter or some extra virgin olive oil and shredded parmesan. Awesome! 

Offering flat breads, bagels, macaroons, croissants, and specialty cookies, Talucci's covers all the sweet and savory Italian bakery favorites, including bialys, a traditional bread roll similar to a bagel, with two exceptions. While an authentic bagel is boiled before baking, a bialy is simply baked, and has a slight depression in the middle rather than a hole. They go great at breakfast.

Want more reason to visit Talucci's. Jacklyn like myself appreciates a robust cup of coffee, insisting coffee should have character. Keeping with the authentic Italian bakery theme, Talucci's serves up coffee expertly brewed from Ditta Artigianale out of Florence, considered Italy’s first specialty coffee company. Talucci's places their order on Monday and they have their brewed bags by Wednesday. 

Safe to say, the coffee is extraordinary, and complements all of the fresh-made pastries at Talucci's. Espressos, macchiatos, lattes, and drip coffees, no matter how you crave your brewed concoction, you can bet it's a hearty full-bodied sensation. Love the coffee at Talucci's, of course you can buy bags to take home with you.

Let me add another totally Italian confection to the mix. On any given day Talucci's offers up a half dozen flavors of gelato. Now I wouldn't expect to have to explain gelato, but for those who've never tried, it's simply an Italian frozen dessert similar to ice cream with a softer and more denser texture.

While Charles and Jacklyn fully understand God is the source of their talents and success, Talucci's Bakery is truly a blended family affair. The couple are raising eight kids between them, with all of them helping out in some capacity, much like Charles did at age 11 with his father. The parents are instilling a work ethic based on faith, family, and community. That's inspirational.

Unapologetically Christian, and members of Summerville's Sea Coast Church, Jacklyn admits she and Charles struggled to have the bakery open on Sundays. Over much pray and counsel from their pastor they decided they could honor God and best serve the community through their faith based business, ultimately hoping the continued growth of the church will allow the ministry to commit to a late day service on Sunday. A miracle in the works!

It's the same sense of community that drives Talucci's to partner with numerous churches, schools, non-profits, and charities, supplying food for events as well as discounts to teachers and other groups. First responders enjoy a $1 cup of coffee every time they come in, and active military receive 10% off all the time at Talucci's.

Jacklyn and Charles want to totally immerse themselves in the community, and they feel as they've been blessed by God they need to give back as often as warranted. Small church and school groups are welcome to use their side room for meetings. It's an intimate nook, complete with secluded tables and  a leather couch. A warm and inviting setting. 

For her part, Jacklyn who is a seasoned businesswoman with a major hotel chain defines the essence of Talucci's Bakery. "It's how you feel when you come in, and how the food makes you feel." In layman's terms she's describing the overall experience, from the authentic aroma wafting through the air the moment you walk through the door, to the personal attention every patron gets during their visit.

Why are customers going out of their way, some dropping in several times a week at Talucci's Bakery. The answer is simple. It's the quality of the products. Although it takes a variety of ingredients to craft Talucci's signature creations, Jacklyn proclaims there is singular main ingredient added to each and every one. "They're made with love. Charles loves what he does."

With her business acumen Jacklyn handles the marketing for the family bakery, using her social media savvy to attract new patrons. Witnessing such overwhelming support from the community, she says they are considering extending the hours on Fridays and Saturdays, providing an after hours dessert & coffee bar during the 6-9pm timeframe. It's in the planning stages.

Recapping, there are a few really good bakeries in the low country. However, many prepare their desserts using pre-made and frozen ingredients. While they may taste good, it's a sure bet they don't have the same panache Talucci's Bakery puts out.

If you happen to be strolling by their bakery which is tucked nicely at the alleyway they call short central, you'll notice breads displayed in the window. Same day fresh and so incredibly tasty. Take a loaf home and snack on it with creamery butter and extra virgin olive oil.

While Charles is good on knowing how much to bake everyday, Talucci's bakery doesn't pull baked goods in the back at the end of the day, and put them out again the next morning. He believes in selling the freshest product available. The few desserts and breads left over usually find their way to firehouses and strangers on the street. Just part of their paying it forward approach.

Modifying this last paragraph from their website, Talucci’s Bakery is more than just a business, it’s a family legacy. With their children involved in every aspect of the bakery, the Talucci family pours love, tradition, and dedication into every baked good and cup of coffee they serve. Now that's a recipe for success!

Jacklyn and Charles Talucci told me they feel perfectly comfortable in the historic district of downtown Summerville and look forward to getting to know new customers, and have repeat customers becoming extended family. Their bakery is tucked at the end of what native Summerville residents call Short Central at the intersection of W. 2nd S. Street. If you're using your GPS it's 145 Central Ave. 

A few parting shots. Much like the fresh roasted coffee bags, you can purchase Tony Talucci's Spice Rubs that will enhance your home dinners. The all-natural preservative free rubs come in two distinct styles including Beef Rub and a Mediterranean Seafood & Chicken Rub, and make perfect gifts for passionate food lovers.

And to give Talucci's Bakery an added flair, they carry hand painted gourmet chocolates and truffles from renowned French Canadian chocolatier Ghyslain Maurais. Ooh la-la! Both make great gifts for any occasion, especially to the foodie in your social circle. 

If you live in any of the 55 and older communities near Nexton, off Dorchester Road, or close to Knightsville than you're less than 20 minutes from Talucci's Bakery. If you work in Summerville between Oakbrook and Sangaree than you are also less than 20 minutes away, so you could easily pop in during your lunch hour and take home some pastries or bread for the family.

Charles and Jacklyn invite you in to experience the taste of 'baked Italian love'.  Closed Mondays & Tuesdays, Talucci's Bakery is open 7-5pm Wed-Thurs, 7-6pm on Friday, 8-4pm Sat, and 8-2pm Sunday. 

For more incredible culinary experiences in Charleston, check out our guide to the city's best dining destinations. From fresh seafood to Southern classics, there’s something for every palate! View more Charleston dining options here.