Sweet memories launch city’s newest bake shop
Linda Adkins calls her enterprise, L.A. Sweets, “an accidental business. It wasn’t meant to be a business. I did this as therapy because I missed my mom.”
Mary Patterson taught her young daughter how to bake and decorate sweet things, fostering in her a passion for a pastime they would share for decades – and lead to a professional venture.
Adkins launched L.A. Sweets in January 2012 as a catering business, and a testimonial to her mother, who taught her so much before dying in 2003. The Adkinses ran it out of their Washington home kitchen until a month ago, when they gained space, changed the dynamic and added a face.
L.A. Sweets relocated to 148 N. Main St. in the city. It is in the building that housed Trapuzzano’s Tuxedos, a sign for which is still up. L.A.’s name, however, is emblazoned on the storefront window.
And, yes, it is a storefront. This is a bakery and catering business, just up the hill from venerable Joe’s Bakery at 123 N. Main. Her son, Christopher, purchased the building.
“We do cupcakes, cookies, some candies,” Linda Adkins said. “Our big seller is apple dumplings. We do a lot of wedding, birthday, anniversary – actually all-occasion cakes.”
There is one line of goodies not being produced or sold there.
“I don’t do doughnuts,” Adkins said. “I leave that to Joe’s Bakery.”
She said despite being a competitor, Joe Vucic Jr., the owner of Joe’s, has been helpful and supportive.
“Joe has been so good, giving me advice and helpful information on the business,” Adkins said. “I missed my grand opening (Oct. 11) because I was sick. Joe came in and checked on me and brought me juice, rolls and doughnuts.”
This also is a family business, with all four Adkinses involved. Linda, leaning on what she learned from Mary and Mary’s cookbooks, is a baker/decorator; spouse Kim handles deliveries and shipping; Christopher is the financial adviser; and daughter Erika is involved in marketing and deliveries.
Brenda McMillan is a part-time baker.
L.A. Sweets’ hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Sunday. The phone number is 724-263-9891. For more information, visit facebook.com/lasweetscakes.