Smoochies Cakery, a mainstay in Bradford West Gwillimbury for the last five years, is closing up shop.
But owners Melinda Coady and John Da Silva are not quitting the business.
The married owners of the downtown bakery, which specializes in custom cakes and cheesecakes, announced Thursday on Facebook they are closing the store because 90 per cent of their business comes from custom cake orders, rather than walk-ins.
“We have decided there is no point in having a storefront if people aren’t sitting and enjoying the space. We did lots (of) birthday parties over the summer and almost no parties through the winter so why have a party room?” they wrote.
“We took a chance on doing something different (and) added more daily desserts and are still finding that it’s all mainly pick up.”
The store is now closed to the public, and Coady and Da Silva will rent a local kitchen two to three days a week, they wrote.
“All existing orders will be filled as per normal and we will reach out and make drop off or pick up arrangements. We will continue to offer custom cakes and desserts on a pre order basis!” they wrote. “Once things settle we will let everyone know our new process for ordering.”
The pair started Smoochies out of their home in 2014 and soon opened a store at 64 Holland St. before moving down the road to their current location just west of Barrie Street last June.
Coady and Da Silva also noted they work long hours and are dealing with some health issues in their family, so this will let them focus more on family life.
“We will miss all the kids coming in more than anything, and to those that came in regularly we thank you so much,” they wrote. “That being said, please support small local businesses downtown. We have some great places and and hard working business owners that deserve more. We love you all very much.”
