Bringing authentic Italian cuisine to Minnesota has been the Forti family’s mission since 1913, when Tom Forti’s great grandfather, Guilio, opened a bakery in Hibbing. The family business, Sunshine Creative Gourmet, has since grown to include production of a long list of beloved Italian products, including pastas sauces, and gluten-free pizzas.
Sunshine Gourmet produced and sold some of its products from an off-the-beaten-path location on Pierce Butler Road until recently. Now, after a successful crowd fundraising campaign, Forti has moved Sunrise to a more visible storefront on Grand and Lexington avenues in the former Chez Arnaud space. The store will include a café that will serve sandwiches, soups, salads, coffee and traditional Italian pastries.
The Pierce Butler location will continue to produce gluten-free pizzas and pastas, but will no longer function as a retail outlet. Forti is planning a late October opening.
Sunrise Creative Gourmet products can also be found in grocery stores and retailers throughout the Twin Cities.
Giulio, not Guilio.