Our Story

Our journey

...that's how it all began

The company L. Antoniou Homemade Pastries, known as Lydia’s, is a family business founded by Lydia Antoniou in 1985. Its story began about two years earlier, when from her home kitchen, she began making birthday tall cakes, the classic American birthday cakes with designs and decorations made of colorful buttercream exclusively for friends. Word of mouth, the fame of the beautiful and delicious cakes reached the ears of Gerasimos Vassilopoulos, the founder of the well-known super market chain AB Vassilopoulos. Thrilled by their originality, he offered her a permanent place for her cakes, in the pastry shop of his largest store at the time, in Faros of Psychiko. The acceptance from the public was enthusiastic and thus her story timidly begins.

1986

Lydia Antoniou moved from the home kitchen to her first workshop, in Kato Chalandri. Due to her different field of study, she decided to invite American master bakers who would stay in Greece and train her in the secrets of the flavors of the classic American breakfast. Then, the production of Danish pastries and the legendary Coffee Ring began .

1987

Its products can now be found in the stores of AB Vassilopoulos, Sklavenitis and Thanopoulos, while Danish Pastries , cheesecakes and classic American Bagels adorn the breakfasts of the Hilton Hotel and Great Britain.

1988

The company acquires its first retail store in the then newly built Agora Center, on Kifissias Avenue.

1990

The company is assigned the full product coverage of the pastry shop, shop in a shop, in the new MEGA AB Vassilopoulos in Elliniko, awarded that year as the most complete super market in Europe.

1991

Brioche production begins . This delicious French bread is now on the shelves of the largest stores in Athens.

1996

The company is moving to a larger building to accommodate the new Foodservice activities it has undertaken with clients such as Pizza Hut, KFC, Grigoris Snacks and the Flocafe chain.

1998

Danae and Antonis Antoniou, as the second generation of the family, begin to actively participate in the management of the business.

2003

Starbucks opens in Greece. Lydia’s, the only company approved by the company’s international management, becomes the exclusive supplier for Starbucks’ display cases, from puff pastries and sandwiches to muffins, cakes and cheesecakes. The company moves to its now privately owned four-story building in Rafina, Attica, where it houses its operations to this day.

2005

Its products are exported to the Balkans and Cyprus.

2008

The production of baked goods with olive oil begins . It is the first time that toast bread is mass-produced with olive oil and has a short shelf life.

2012

Following the urging of its customers, the company begins producing baked goods and brioche for the mass catering market.

2015

The decision is made to produce Gluten Free baked goods. Lydia’s becomes the first company whose production process is certified according to the strict criteria of the English Coeliac Association

2018

Lydia’s becomes the first Greek producer to launch Potato Rolls on the Greek market.

2020

This year will always be a landmark in our history. Despite all the adverse circumstances, we bonded even more as a team and managed to work and serve our customers, with strength, patience and perseverance. At Lydia’s, its people are and always will be its priority.