PRL Period (1946–1989)

In 1946, Feliks and Stanisława Sowa opened a bakery at 55 Pomorska Street in Bydgoszcz. The shop is still operating to this day.^[2] They were both originating from a village between Grudziądz and Brodnica.^[3]

At the time, the political regime was far from being propitious to such a venture. Not only all enterprises with more than 50 employees were nationalized,^[4] but also the post-war communist economic system hindered private initiatives. In addition, raw materials were scarce and the workforce limited.

The post-war period and the growing communist rule turned out to be very unfavorable for taking up self-employment business. Stanisława Sowa remembered in an interview: Supply standards were then so low that we had to buy precious flour or sugar in a store, and because such purchases were subject to numerous restrictions, we combined all kinds of ways. Everyone helped: family, friends, and sometimes even complete strangers, kind people. [...] that was something!^[1] Like other bakers in the city, the success stemmed from their selling fresh bread which was not available everywhere, just after the war.^[3]

The bakery operated so efficiently that Feliks and Stanisława hired in 1952 their first employees: one at the production plant, the other at the selling point. Soon, however, it appeared they were short in workforce, regarding the fast growing load of daily duties: students were hired together with the first apprentice.^[2]

In the early 1960s, Feliks Sowa graduated with a degree as "Confectionery Master". Then, based on traditional family recipes, he created his first, unique cake: a sponge cake filled with fruit jam and covered with thick, milk chocolate. It soon proved to be a best seller as it singled out from the then industrial company cakes stuffed with a lot of very sweet cream.^[1]

As recalled Stanisława Sowa (1921–2021),^[5] We were very lucky. We had a relatively little activity. The state allowed it, because strategic hopes were placed in us, small but resilient producers. As a result, we were a bit protected since at that time most of private initiatives were either closed immediately or taken over by the authorities. Their thinking was simple: if, in the event of a nationwide armed threat, a large centralized plant was destroyed, the damage would have been considerable and far-reaching, whereas small bakeries scattered around the country provided a much greater security. Such tensions stemmed from the post-tensions lasted for a very long time.

The activity was kept at low level. In 1973, for instance, Sowa's offer was very limited with only 5 types of cakes and a scarce variety of bread. The main rationale was the necessity to get permits from the authorities for every operations. Furthermore, the PRL's economic market and its narrow offer made it almost impossible to buy the appropriate flavors required for a vast range of recipes.

In 1982, Adam Sowa, Feliks and Stanisława's younger son, left his studies in construction and joined the family business. A year later, he got his Master of Confectionery's diploma, following his father's footsteps.^[2]

The success of the products in conjunction with the word of mouth in the city prompted the opening in 1988 of the first store, detached from the factory. This new selling point was located downtown, near the Zbożowy Rynek (Grain Market).^[6]

Cukiernia i Piekarnia Adam Sowa (from 1989)

Adam Sowa and his wife Małgorzata set up in 1989 a new company.^[7] The firm, named Cukiernia i Piekarnia Adam Sowa (Adam Sowa Confectionery and Bakery), had a distinctive logo in the shape of an owl. The nature of the latter is based on the family name, Sowa, which means owl in Polish. In 2006, this symbol was re-branded with a warm chocolate-brown colour.

In parallel with the economic transition of Poland, the company grew and employed more and more personnel while expanding the panel of its products. Hence in 1991, the first Adam Sowa Café was unveiled on Dworcowa Street.^[8]

Sowa restaurant, 4 Mostowa, by night

At the end of 1997, to cope with the accrued success, it was decided to plan for the construction of a larger production plant. A plot in the south east area of Bydgoszcz, on Józef Schulz street, was then purchased. The modern factory was opened a year later: today it houses also the company's headquarters.^[2]

The new production capacities allow for the launch of additional sale points and cafés, not only located in Bydgoszcz, but also in Toruń and inside shopping centers, all exhibiting characteristic company visual marketings.

In 2003, the first Sowa Restaurant was unveiled, at the heart of Bydgoszcz, on Mostowa Street. Still operative today, it displays the "Sowa design" and comprises a wine bar. The original menu proposes international cuisine with a home-made Polish accent.^[8]

In addition to Polish openings, the first international restaurant was inaugurated in 2005, in London on High Street. Four years later, a dine-in patisserie was unveiled in Berlin on Westfälische Strasse. At the same time, the first point in Warsaw opened: in 2022, the company had 22 selling points in the Polish capital.^[9]

Cukiernia i Piekarnia Adam Sowa celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of its initial foundation in 2006. A year later, the firm took up an impressive challenge: to re-construct an entire block at the corner of Mostowa and Grodzka streets, with its pre-war features.^[10] The project was completed in 2009 and comprised a restaurant, a bistro, a cafe and a fashionable night club. ^[11]

Adam Sowa unveiled in 2007 a plaque with its signature in "Bydgoszcz's Autograph Avenue", Długa street.^[7]

Adam Sowa's signature plaque on Długa street

In 2008, Adam Sowa issued its own brand of chocolate, which original recipe was created in Paris. A year later, Sowa launched its coffee, "Sowa Coffè", made from 100% selected blend of the finest Arabica from the regions of South and Central America.

As soon as 2010, Adam's children joined the company, reinforcing its family tradition: Aleksandra, a Confectionery Master, on the creative side and Michał in sales and marketing.^[2]

On 19 January 2014, Sowa won third place at the "Coppa del Mondo della Gelateria" (World Ice-cream Championships) in Rimini, Italy. Furthermore, the team consisting of Aleksandra Sowa, Paweł Małecki, Michał Doroszkiewicz, Maciej Pięta and Mariusz Buritta was honored with a special award in the best ice-cream sculpture category.

On 20 June 2018, the company opened its 160th point of sale in Radom, Poland.

In 2019, Sowa have signed an agreement to set up a confectionery class at the "Branżowa Szkoła I Stopnia Rzemiosła i Przedsiębiorczości w Bydgoszczy" (Vocational School No1 of Craft and Entrepreneurship in Bydgoszcz), teaching students how to bake delicacies using proven family recipes.

Jownia Woszczyńska, who works with Paweł Małecki at the Sowa confectionery, won in 2019 the first prize at the World Confectioners' Championship in Italy, organized by "Federazione Italiana di Pasticceria, Gelateria e Cioccolateria".

In 2022, more than 160 Sowa selling points are open in more than 60 cities in Poland and in Europe. Its main plant in Bydgoszcz employ over a thousand personnel.^[8]