Cannoli crisis averted! Philadelphia Christmas tradition saved at Termini Bros

Just after midnight on Christmas Eve, while Santa is still out delivering toys, thousands of people line up for a Christmas tradition in South Philadelphia: pastries at Termini Bros. But this year, their 100th Christmas, the storied bakery almost lost its cannolis. You see, their 80-year-old machine, straight from Italy, broke right after Thanksgiving. It's critical in making the shells.

A replacement part would take months to get. Christmas was almost lost until businesses from near and far stepped in to help. In the end, Port Richmond Tool & Die, located right here on East Tioga Street in Philadelphia, got it back up and running again. Cannoli angels answered the call. "It's a family tradition in Philadelphia, and I don't know what I would have told people in line on Christmas Eve if we didn't have cannolis," Vincent Termini Jr. said.