June 23, 2014 By Christian Murray
A new bakery is opening on Jackson Avenue Wednesday that will be focusing on specialty cakes and cupcakes.
The bakery, called Pink Canary Desserts, is located at 13-11 Jackson Avenue, and represents a joint venture between the owners of the restaurants Shi and Skinny Cantina, and Joseph Polito, who has been providing baked goods for Shi since it opened several years ago.
Polito, who already owns a bakery in Bellmore, said that when he started working with Shih Lee, who owns Shi and Skinny Cantina with his brother Skinny, it was evident then that Long Island City was beginning to attract young families.
“I wanted to get involved in Long Island City right then,” Polito said. “I could see the opportunity.”
Six years later, Polito and the Lee brothers are set to open a bakery. Their dessert shop will not only focus on cakes and cupcakes, but it will sell cookies, croissants, muffins, pastries and a host of other items.
Polito, who went to culinary school to be a chef, decided upon graduating to focus on baking. He said that he likes the creative side of the business.
He said he enjoys making giant cupcakes and seasonal cupcakes. At his Bellmore bakery he recently sold New York Ranger [hockey] cupcakes. He is now thinking about world cup soccer cupcakes.
“We open up the papers to see what people are talking about and then we might make a cupcake from it,” he said. “It’s a fun business.”
Polito said that there is still a strong demand for cupcakes.
“Everyone expected cupcakes to go away thinking it was a trend,” Polito said. However, he said, they will always be popular since “cupcakes are very convenient and people can afford $2.75 or $3.00 depending on the size.”
The baked goods will be delivered from his Bellmore bakery twice a day.
He said that everything will be made fresh with nothing coming out of the freezer. The cake and the fillings will all be made to order. “It makes a real difference.”
The bakery will be open from 7 am through to 9pm seven days per week.
OPENING
Details: Pre-opening: Wednesday, June 25: 4:00 pm -7:00 pm (all are welcome)
Official opening: Thursday, June 26, Starts at 2:00pm
Location: 13-11 Jackson Avenue
2 Comments
Joseph Polito is one of the best bakers in NYC. He is a true artisan. I have watched his every move since his days serving the hotel industry with his amazingly tasted and awesomely crafted cakes. He also is an amazing ice-sculptor………… I am super-excited that he is moving in to LIC!!! Better go soon, because I will guarantee lines out the door in no time……
Hopefully they will have a large selection of goods ! Welcome!