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Cake Box, the newest addition to Westport’s formidable bakery scene, just opened its doors a few weeks ago and word is getting around that one of Ridgefield’s most popular sweet shops has opened a sister location in Westport.
“This is a busier area,” said Robert Byrnes, who opened the shop with his partner, Jordan Gregory. “It’s close enough to Ridgefield, but not too close so it competes.”
Gregory is the impetus for the couple’s foray into all things sweet. A mom of three teens, she loves to bake and decided to take the plunge and enrolled at the Institute of Culinary Excellence.
Byrnes already had a degree in hotel and restaurant management from Niagara University. The two prepared cakes for family and friends before settling on the recipes and offerings they would need for the original Cake Box, which opened six years ago in Ridgefield. They also own Ridgefield’s Swoon, a separate bakery dedicated to gluten- and nut-free items.
In the first few weeks in Westport, the cupcake reigns supreme in popularity, Byrnes said.
“Cupcakes are still about 60 percent of the business,” he said, arranging dozens of the tasty treats behind glass at the new shop.
Though the classic red velvet is a contender, Byrnes said the most popular is the Sweet & Salty, which boasts vanilla cake with buttercream and salted caramel.
All cakes are made in Ridgefield daily, and Byrnes brings some down to the Westport location for sale. The shop sells both the regular recipes and the gluten- and nut-free baked goods.
Custom cakes are another star. Byrnes said Gregory and staff make cakes shaped like a guitar, a giant iPhone — whatever the customer imagines. One of his favorites included a middle tier that was actually a tank filled with live fish.
His favorite part of the job?
“Interacting with the customers,” he said. “They’ve been great.”
The Cake Box is located at 10 Bay St. The hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. For more information or to order a cake, call 203-557-0264 or visit the website.
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