MIDDLEBORO – Downtown Middleboro got a bit busier this weekend when the Italian Gem Cafe had its “soft opening” during the weekend of Saturday Oct. 21.

Italian Gem Cafe is a bakery and coffee shop that sells authentic Italian baked goods. Owner Jessica Gemma said her parents were from Italy and that she still has ties to the country.

“I met my husband in Italy,” Gemma said. “We go back every summer to visit family. I was born here but I’m 100% Italian.”

Gemma’s passion for baking began at a young age, she said.

“I’ve always loved to bake since I was a little girl,” Gemma explained. “I just feel like in my soul that was what I was meant to do. To bring something of Italian authenticity to this area.”

Starting next Saturday, Oct. 28, Italian Bakery will be open regularly from Wednesday to Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Gemma said that the menu will change regularly.

“We will have limited amounts of items because everything here is homemade daily,” Gemma said. People “can expect a variety [of baked goods]. I won’t always have the same pastries available.”

One regular staple on the menu, Gemma said, would be the cafe’s focaccia paninis. The cafe also serves a variety of drinks ranging from hot chocolate to tea to espresso. 

Gemma added that Middleboro has been supportive of her new business. “The outpour of support from the community and everybody was really wonderful,” she said.