When Carmine Borrelli saw an opportunity to expand his business to Johnston, he jumped at the chance. On Saturday, Borelli’s Bakery opened at 1551 Plainfield Pike, the former home of DeFusco’s.

Shoppers flocked to Johnston’s newest business this weekend to sample a variety of homemade Italian delicacies.

“The same people that used to come here are coming back, and that’s a real nice sign,” said Carmine’s wife, Rosemary Borrelli.

Once the Borrellis purchased the site, they hired a cleaning company to undergo a massive cleaning at the former bakery, which closed due to health code violations. Equipment needed to be replaced as well.

“What was once a bakery is now a bakery again. I’m glad you resurrected this site…we need a bakery in this part of town,” said Mayor Joseph Polisena. “This grand opening is important. I have always said that small business is the backbone of our economic development in the Town of Johnston.”

Polisena is confident that Borrelli’s, which also has a bakery at 805 Charles Street in North Providence, will do well at their new location.

“This location is right on the bus line. It’s also a very convenient location for a lot of families,” he said. “Now when my wife calls me and asks me to bring a fresh loaf of Italian bread home, I won’t have far to go.”

The new Borrelli’s Bakery has approximately 2,500 homes within a two-mile radius of the bakery, according to family friend Tony Rossi.

“What a great location, and the quality of food that Carmine bakes right here is second to none,” Rossi said.

Sandra McCarthy, who lives just a stone’s throw away in Cranston, agreed after sampling a piece of zucchini pizza that Carmine Borrelli made for Saturday’s grand opening.

“This is great. It’s convenient to my home and I just love this pizza. I’m so glad there’s a bakery here again,” she said.

The new Borrelli’s Bakery will be open every day from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Carmine Borrelli has had a passion for baking for 35 years.

“I’m very, very excited about having a second location. I love doing this. It’s a passion I’ve had for baking for many, many years,” he said.

That passion comes in handy when running a business. Carmine arrived at the bakery at 3 a.m. Saturday to prepare for the opening.

“I just love doing this…I have a special passion for baking, being creative and making people happy.”

Carmine and Rosemary Borrelli are so excited about their newest location that they’re already working on a third location in North Kingstown, just outside of Wickford.

“I’m not too familiar with that area,” Rosemary Borrelli admitted, “but we’ve already lots of inquiries about when we’re going to open.”