"We do it every year," Sota said. "At Easter time we start making the cookies in all of the fun shapes. It's a tradition at the bakery."

The tradition has been honored by several generations. Each year parents, grandparents and kids alike flock to Dick's Bakery for the brightly colored egg-, chick- and rabbit-shaped cookies, which usually find their way into Easter baskets.

"We've got all kinds of things for the customers at Easter. One of the most popular items is our bunny cake. It's very cute," Sota said.

The cake, in the shape of a crouching bunny, comes in a choice of chocolate or yellow cake and can be frosted pink, purple or yellow. The cake is $15 and should be ordered as soon as possible.

This year, as in years past, Dick's Bakery will also be selling hot cross buns.

"The buns are a combination of flavors. There's cinnamon, orange, lemon, vanilla and nutmeg all in there. Then a cross of custard across the top," Sota said. "Since everything here is made from scratch by us, all of the flavors together are a very nice mixture. You can taste the freshness you wouldn't be able to get at a grocery store. People love them."

As in previous years, Sota is expecting a large crowd around Easter. During the holiday seasons it isn't unusual to see a line of people going out of the bakery as customers wait to place their orders with employees like Rose Cornaglia, who has been working at the bakery for decades.

Cornaglia has been working at Dick's for more than 30 years, while Liz, who doesn't want to disclose her last name but has worked at the bakery for several years, says, "You would think I'd get tired of the smell of baked goods, but I just never do. I love the smell in here."

Every morning Sota arrives at the bakery around 2:30 a.m. to begin the daily task of making all the delicious baked goods.

"There are people who come in here every morning for a muffin or something to start off their morning," he said. "They've been coming in for what seems like forever, and as the years go by they start bringing in their kids and eventually their grandkids."

For many longtime Willow Glen residents it has become a tradition to enjoy their holiday meals with warm dinner rolls and breads from Dick's Bakery.

"It's a good idea to call in your order for rolls around the holidays. They sell almost as fast as Clarence can make them," Cornaglia said.

Although Sota isn't ready for retirement just yet, he does have a plan for the future.

"When I'm ready to retire, my grandson will be taking over the business. Aaron works very hard here every day, right with me, and knows how everything goes here. He knows what the customers want and the great quality they've come to expect from Dick's Bakery. When I'm ready, he's going to do a great job. But that won't be for a while," Sota said.

Dick's Bakery is located at 1593 Meridian Ave. They are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday. For more information or to place orders, call 408.269.5212.