Taunton bakery razed

TAUNTON – The former Art’s International Bakery on Washington Street came tumbling down last week.
Construction crews from A.G. Lopes Construction tore down the bakery destroyed by fire two years ago in what prosecutors allege was arson.
Bakery owner Art Cabral opened the shop in 1977 and said he decided not to rebuild after opposition from the neighborhood and new operating restrictions the town planned to impose.
“After looking at all of the situations facing me I was looking down the road at the investment to put the property back together … [and] I decided not to go and rebuild the bakery,” said Cabral, who pegged the cost of rebuilding at $500,000.
Instead, Cabral relocated the bakery to his wholesale operations location in Raynham. He also continues to operate a satellite bakery on Weir Street in Taunton that opened in 1984.
Cabral said plans for the Washington Street land are not yet finalized. The city denied a request by Cabral to construct an apartment building. Cabral said he is now considering asking the city to approve construction of at least one duplex home.