A South Norwalk institution is closing after more than 20 years in business.

SoNo Baking Co. announced that its last day is Sunday, Nov. 1.

John Barricelli opened the business on the corner of Water Street in 2005, following in the footsteps of his great-grandfather, Giuseppe Barricelli, who owned a panetteria in Brooklyn, New York.

"We do everything the old-fashioned way," Barricelli told News 12. "I'm still a traditionalist that has the mixer, the oven and the bench, and that's pretty much it." That's led to legions of loyal customers who can't get enough of SoNo Baking Co.'s breads, pastries, cakes and cookies. And not just in Fairfield County.

"My mom who lives in Long Island loves the thumbprint cookies," said Bonnie Cinquegrana, of New Canaan. "And I come here for every occasion and bring them to her. She says she sits down with one of those and her coffee and her day is just transformed." Over the years, Barricelli built up the business, at one point having five locations. He's gradually closed them all except the original, which will now shut down, too. But it's not because business isn't booming. "I'm retiring after 50 years in the food business. I started when I was 16, and I'm going to be 67 this year. So it's been a while," Barricelli explained.

Before opening SoNo Baking Co., Barricelli worked for Martha Stewart for many years, appearing regularly on her shows. Stewart also wrote the foreword for Barricelli's cookbook, "The SoNo Baking Company Cookbook: The Best Sweet and Savory Recipes for Every Occasion," noting how she lured him away from the restaurant world to help create the best television prep kitchens. "Finding out they're closing is a heartbreaker," said customer Connor Buck, who lives around the corner. "The melt-in-your-mouth croissant. It's all around amazing." "Oh my gosh, devastating," Cinquegrana told News 12. While the bakery may be known for its croissants, sourdough loaves and baguettes, it's the sweet memories attached to them that may mean the most. Since news of the closure broke, customers have shared stories online. One woman said she met her future husband there on a blind date two decades ago and they still come back for their anniversary. "I've been bringing my daughter here since she was 2 years old," said Jason Zwickler, of Norwalk, who returned with her Friday. "We used to come here and get the monkey bread, and we'd sit here in the window and watch them." When Zwickler learned of the closing, he said he had to get down there for one last cookie.

Barricelli said since making the bread a few days ago, people have packed into the place.

"With the craziness, we sold out. People are coming thinking they're never going to be able to eat bread again and I'm like, there's so many other bakeries, which is another reason why I found it was a good time to retire. We have the next generation of bakers coming up," Barricelli said, mentioning Kneads and Fatto a Mano.

He called the decision to end this era bittersweet.

"It's emotional," he told News 12, sighing. "It really is." But as one chapter closes, another is about to begin.

According to Barricelli, G Cafe Bakery, based in New Haven, will be moving into the space.