The Randazzo Family Timeline

Felix and Joel Randazzo Forjet are continuing the Randazzo’s family tradition of baking, that started during 1965 in St. Bernard Parish.

April 1, 1965

Hi-Lan Bakery, operated by Lawrence Randazzo, (Joel’s father), with brothers Manuel and Anthony and their father, Sam Randazzo, opened in Violet in what had been the family’s Camellia Club. The old dance hall section became the bakery.

1971

A second location of Hi-Lan Bakery opened at 613 W. Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette. The two locations operated simultaneously for a few years. Randazzo’s name was added to Hi-Lan Bakery.

1986

Felix Forjet, Jr. began working for Randazzo’s Hi-Lan Bakery while in high school and learned baking techniques from Lawrence Randazzo.

1987

Felix Forjet Jr. and Joel Randazzo were married.

1988

Sam Randazzo Died.

1992

Lawrence Randazzo retired from Randazzo’s Hi-Lan Bakery.

1993

Joel Randazzo Forjet, daughter of Lawrence Randazzo, started her own business, Randazzo’s King Cake Express, which shipped king cakes for Hi-Lan Bakery.

1994

Three of Lawrence Randazzo’s children: Sal Randazzo, Petrina Randazzo and Joel Randazzo Forjet, along with Joel’s husband, Felix, opened Goodchildren Bakery Shoppe in Meraux. Goodchildren Bakery Shoppe was located on East Judge Perez Drive in Violet and was named for the previous name of Judge Perez Drive, Goodchildren Street.

1996

Randazzo’s Hi-Lan Bakery in Chalmette closed, but reopened for 1997 Carnival season. Their doors never reopened after Lundi Gras.

January 1998

A second location of Randazzo’s Goodchildren Bakery Shoppe opened in Chalmette on Paris Road.

March 3, 1998

Lawrence J. Randazzo died at age 72.

January 2000

Randazzo’s Goodchildren Bakery Shoppe relocated from Paris Road to West Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette, next door to the former Chalmette location of Hi Lan Bakery.

2001

Randazzo’s Heritage Hall, a reception venue, opened in Chalmette operated by Randazzo’s Goodchildren Bakery Shoppe owners.

August 29, 2005

Hurricane Katrina’s flooding destroyed both locations of Randazzo’s Goodchildren Bakery in Violet and Chalmette as well as Randazzo’s Heritage Hall in Chalmette.

2006

Felix and Joel Randazzo Forjet opened Nonna Randazzo’s Italian Bakery and Caffe as a full-service bakery in Covington.

2011

Nonna Randazzo’s Bakery opened a second location in Chalmette, once again giving St. Bernard Parish a full service bakery with the Randazzo name and a baker from the original Hi-Lan bakery.

January 2014

Nonna Randazzo’s Bakery opened its third storefront, along with their permanent baking facility, located in Mandeville.