'Turnback Tuesday' features bakery/confectionery in downtown Derby

Turnback Tuesday is taking a sweet look at Wise’s Bakery. 
Owner James N. Wise moved to Derby and started his business in 1876 at 116-118 Main St., Derby. 
Wise was a wholesale/retail baker and confectioner and a master of his trade. This is an advertisement card for Wise’s, boasting the delicacies he had to offer at Christmas. 
Wise lived in a beautiful house built in 1890 on Elizabeth Street. The home is still there today.


Thanks go to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week!

Eddy's Bake Shop in Ansonia to hold grand opening

Eddy's Bake Shop in Ansonia to hold annual paczki eating contest

Lighthouse leads way to sweet treats in Shelton

Some of the sweets available at Lighthouse Rum Cakes, 480 Howe Ave., Shelton. This week owners Jon and Michele Vallee of Milford marked the first anniversary of the storefront and celebrated their business expansion.


Read my story here in the Valley Independent Sentinel about the three-year old business.

Shelton shop marks first anniversary

SHELTON - I was happy to meet Jon and Michele Vallee, owners of Lighthouse Rum Cakes at 480 Howe Ave., on Monday as they celebrated the first anniversary of their shop.
They now have crepes on the menu, and dare I say the crepes are delicious!

Stay tuned for a story in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Cupcake cafe to open in Seymour

SEYMOUR - Valley native Alyssa DeMatteo is readying a "soft opening" Saturday of "Wildflour Confections," a cupcake cafe.
The shop at 18 Bank St., on the corner of First Street, will feature cupcakes, cookies, and cakes.

DeMatteo's line of sweets includes vegan and gluten-free options. She will also offer "adult" treats, laced with alcohol.

DeMatteo, 24, worked at Eddy's Bake Shop in Ansonia for six years, where she learned cake decorating techniques and consulted with brides on their cakes. About three years ago she started selling her own cakes and cupcakes for weddings, showers,and parties.

Last year she decided it was time to open a storefront to expand the business.

"I hope to create a comfortable, cafe-like atmosphere here," DeMatteo said. "I see people coming in, getting a cupcake and coffee, hanging out, reading, enjoying the art or talking with friends. I see people relaxing here."

DeMatteo plans to feature displays by local photographers, painters, and artists in the shop. A funky couch and chairs face big windows overlooking Bank and First streets in the town's antiques district.

DeMatteo creates about 40 specialty cupcakes - some are standards like Red Velvet, and others are personal concoctions, such as The Key To His Heart, a chocolate cake filled with peanut butter mousse topped with chocolate buttercream frosting, peanut butter, and a Reese's cup.
DeMatteo was in the process of designing the cupcake when she met her boyfriend two years ago. He gained 10 pounds during the trial phase.
Another popular cupcake is The Sinatra -- a vanilla cupcake filled with cannoli cream topped with chocolate ganache and cannoli.

All cupcakes are also available as cakes.


This is a press release from Alyssa DeMatteo.