Full-service bakery to open in downtown Tamaqua
A freshly baked announcement Wednesday has tingled the sweet tooth of many local residents.
Cheryl Leone of New Ringgold, helped by husband Wayne, will open Momma C's Bakery in the former Wenzel's Bakery building, 125 E. Broad St.The news of a full-service bakery opening at a landmark site in downtown Tamaqua after an absence of 10 years drew comments of delight."I hope they include some gluten-free goodies when they open," wrote Kimberley Dreisbach of New Philadelphia on social media.The site most recently hosted Revolution Fitness Studio, which closed, leaving an empty storefront.Before the fitness studio moved in, the location was known for decades as Wenzel's Bakery, a confectionery icon in eastern Schuylkill County for 73 years until its closing at Thanksgiving in 2006.Momma C's Bakery, based at 2083 West Penn Pike in Andreas, will feature cakes, pies, brownies and other treats baked at the Tamaqua store premises, along with the bakery's popular doughnuts, which will continue to be prepared in West Penn Township and trucked into town."We expect to be open by April 4," said Leone on Wednesday morning as she and daughter Marissa Everett of Lehighton hand-painted an announcement on the shop's front window."We will have tables and seating," said Leone, who is making arrangements to purchase the building, which also includes two apartments on the second and third levels.Leone said Momma C's offers a wide selection."Some new things you will see will be waffles and ice cream, cotton candy, a larger selection of our delicious baked goods, and a larger cake, pie, cookie, cupcake and doughnut selection. We'll also have a selection of your favorite penny candies, chocolate bars, and fun food, all at reasonable prices and a convenient location."There will be some treats for nostalgic folks as well.For instance, Leone's homemade custard is a taste match for a similar, long-adored treat served by Wenzel's."I worked on it for a while and we use the same distributor," she said.Momma C's currently operates an additional location inside Tink's Antiques at 28 S. Railroad St., where several other businesses are housed, but her shop inside that facility will closeMarch 26. All of the other businesses and activities inside Tink's Antiques will remain open as usual."This new location will give us more seating space and the opportunity to expand our products and services," she said.Those who remember Wenzel's are saying a main street bakery is likely to be popular."Waist lines will expand in Tamaqua," said Schuylkill Township native Franie Quinn of Las Vegas.