Red Lion’s Downtown Keeps Adding On

A new specialty bakery and handcrafted gifts shop in Red Lion is one of many additions to what is becoming a busy downtown scene in the borough.

“It’s something that’s been steady over time, but seems to be really picking up as we go,” said Carol Leas, owner of George’s Famous BBQ and president of the Red Lion Area Business Association.

When Ashley Bonhoff decided she wanted to open her own storefront in the downtown area, just a short distance from her own home, it seemed like the perfect location, she said.

The idea for her business, called And Everything Beyond at 101 S. Main St., came after years of compliments from her friends and family who enjoyed her homemade birthday cakes and other treats.

Read more: http://www.ydr.com/business/ci_28289326/red-lions-downtown-keeps-adding

Two Years In The Making, Market Square Grocery Store’s Opening Is Near

On a cloudy and cool spring morning, Downtown Pittsburgh’s first grocery in five years was emerging from its shell like a butterfly from its cocoon.

Some workers stocked a freezer with frozen shrimp, lobster langostino and other seafood. Others handled deliveries of cheeses and other goods. Yet others trained to use the cash register.

At the back of 435 Market St., bottles of imported red and white Italian wines beckoned visitors. Pastas, cereals, chocolates, pickles, olives, teas, cookies, jelly, potato chips and sauces crammed the shelves.

“ ‘Finally’ is the word,” developer Ralph Falbo said as he talked to two friends and surveyed the scene.

Read more:

http://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2015/04/15/Market-Square-to-get-grocery-store-soon/stories/201504150099

With New Owners, Haines Shoe House Becomes Bakery & Treat Shop

Where else in the world can you eat cake pops from inside a gigantic work boot?

Probably nowhere.

Melanie Schmuck is banking on that novelty, as she and her husband, Jeff Schmuck, convert the ground floor of the Haines Shoe House into a bakery and dine-in treat shop.

“We wanted something quirky,” Jeff said. “Something that would stand out.”

Read more:

http://www.ydr.com/business/ci_27751427/new-owners-haines-shoe-house-becomes-bakery-treat

ArtsQuest Looking For Bakeries For 2014 Cupcake Bowl

English: A cupcake (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

ArtsQuest’s Cupcake Bowl is the definition of a “sweet Saturday.”

The annual fundraising event brings together bakeries from around the area for a day of sampling.

The 2014 event will be held 12:30-2:30 p.m. Dec. 27 at ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way in Bethlehem.

According to a news release, ticket sales have opened. Buy a ticket at artsquest.org or call 610-332-3378. Tickets cost $30, $25 for ArtsQuest members. Proceeds from the event will go to ArtsQuest’s Arts Education Programming Fund.

Read more: http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/food/index.ssf/2014/11/artsquest_looking_for_more_ven.html

Hostess, Maker Of Twinkies, To Close

Hostess Brands Inc. says it’s going out of business after striking workers across the country crippled its ability to make its Twinkies, Ding Dongs, Wonder Bread and other snacks.

The company had warned employees that it would file a motion with U.S. Bankruptcy Court today seeking permission to shutter its operations and sell assets if plants didn’t resume normal operations by a Thursday evening deadline.

The closing would mean the loss of about 18,500 jobs.

“Many people have worked incredibly long and hard to keep this from happening, but now Hostess Brands has no other alternative than to begin the process of winding down and preparing for the sale of our iconic brands,” CEO Gregory Rayburn said in a letter to employees posted on the company website.

Read more:  http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=428558

Bethlehem’s Vegan Treats Named One Of World’s Best Bakeries

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Northampton County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Vegan Treats, the little Bethlehem bakery where stars shop, has just received sweet news from American Express. It has been named as one of 10 of the World’s Best Bakeries.

It’s featured in Departures, an American Express magazine available only to the company’s Platinum and Centurion charge card holders.

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/entertainment/dining/mc-vegan-treats-american-express-20120906,0,6639845.story

West Reading Baker Wins TV Food Network’s Cupcake Wars

Logo for Food Network (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Last night, Ady Cakes, LLC of West Reading won the TV Food Network‘s Cupcake Wars!  Congratulations!

Here’s a little information about Ady Cakes from their website:

“We are a locally owned Custom Cake & Cupcake Shop situated in the heart of West Reading in business since 2007. We offer many elegant designs from which to choose, and we also specialize in working with you to create a completely new design with your own personality, ideas and flair.

We will guide you in selecting a cake that suits your personal style and budget and above all, we promise to deliver a fresh, delicious, cake that tastes as good as it looks. 

Our business is fully licensed by the State of Pennsylvania and a proud member of the International Cakes Exploration Societe (ICES). ”

Ady Cakes, LLC is located at 631 Penn Avenue, West Reading, PA.  You can contact them the following ways:

Voice:  (610) 898-4064

Internet: Info@adycakes.com or Cakeorder@adycakes.com

Website: http://www.adycakes.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AdyCakesLLC

There are many pictures on the website and Facebook for your enjoyment!   The bakery hours and other information about ordering and payment are found on their website for your convenience!

Here is an article from today’s Reading Eagle:

Ady Abreu was hard at work in her West Reading bakery Monday morning, just hours after celebrating her “Cupcake Wars” victory at a party held in her honor at Viva Bistro & Tapas Lounge in Wyomissing.

Normally closed on Mondays, Ady’s Cakes opened during the afternoon with a special offering – a four-pack containing one cupcake of each flavor that she created for “Cupcake Wars,” a Food Network baking-competition show.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=384705

Collegeville Couple Purchase Pottstown Farmers Market – Expect Big Things!

A Collegeville couple has purchased the Pottstown Farmer’s Market and will begin by doing some major cleaning and refurbishing.  After that task is complete, they hope to attract new local vendors selling fresh grown food.  Some old favorites will remain like Wegman’s, King’s Produce and Dairy and Mosteller’s Seafood.

The couple is also looking at possibly expanding the market’s hours.  They want to be part of Pottstown’s revitalization.  We wish Ben Moscia and his wife Elise LeBoutiller much success.  Having a flourishing farmer’s market in our downtown will be help draw shoppers to High Street.

Tasty Baking Company Having Financial Problems

Oh no!  Will Tastykakes become a recession casualty!  Philadelphia’s Tasty Baking Company is having serious financial difficulty, even after moving to the Navy Yard and into a state of the art, energy-saving new facility.

Read a humorous Daily News editorial on how to save Tasty Baking Company:

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/our-money/How_to_save_Tastykake.html

Tastykake Goes Green!

Tastykake has opened a new state of the art bakery in the Philadelphia Naval Business Center.  If you love Tastykakes, watch this interesting 3 minute video about their new facility and future plans!  Very interesting!

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/