Dozen Cupcakes Opens Downtown

Monday, 27 July 2009 06:52

Written by China Millman

For many weeks, Dozen Bake Shop's Facebook page had set date after date for its Downtown opening, tantalizing its fans with the prospect of freshly baked muffins, cupcakes, and pastries at 807 Liberty Avenue.

Now, with a red and navy storefront and a sandwich board outside, the promised cafe is finally here.
Baked goods from Dozen/PG
The 250-square-foot space is a retail location, meaning no baking is done on-site. Instead, the store sells items made in the Dozen Bake Shop in Lawrenceville. But there's no need to worry about freshness, owner James Gray assures. All the items are baked through the night in the Lawrenceville kitchen and delivered daily to each of Dozen's locations.

The shop is meant as a to-go breakfast and lunch spot or a quick stop for an indulgent treat, since there's no space for seating. The one-room shop is illuminated by sunlight that pours in from the large front window, basking jars of cookies and slices of banana bread in a warm glow. Menu items are the staples Dozen has become synonymous with: sweets like cinnamon rolls ($3), cupcakes ($2.50), quick breads ($2-$2.50) and granola ($3.50), as well as lunch fare like sandwiches ($7) and soup ($4.25).

Gray believes the bakery will do well even in the current economic climate, since Dozen offers affordable luxuries that "don't sting too badly."

Plus, Dozen's concept of being Pittsburgh-focused is unique in among bakeries here, he said. Dozen uses locally-sourced fruits, vegetables, and meat whenever possible. For instance, beet salad is composed of produce from Mildred's Daughter's Farm in Stanton Heights, muffins are made with organic strawberries from Kretschmann Farms near Zelienople, and milk comes from Turner Dairy Farms in Penn Hills.

That local, home-grown feel is why Gray thinks Dozen has a space in the Downtown market, which is already saturated with coffee and pastry shops.

"There are plenty of shops that offer Saran-wrapped Danishes and donuts, but who makes them? Where do they come from?" he said. "With Dozen, people can be certain that everything is made in our kitchen, by our bakers."

Gray's ardent pride in his product has driven Dozen's expansion from a single narrow cupcake shop in Squirrel Hill three years ago to its four locations today in Squirrel Hill, Lawrenceville, Downtown and the Cafe at the Warhol on the North Side. As for the future of the seemingly unstoppable Dozen? With a mischievous smile, Gray gives a cryptic answer.

"I don't want to say too much, but Dozen is in the process of pursuing one more location," he said. "And I'm also looking at expanding what I do as a chef and baker."

Dozen Bake Shop Downtown will be open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

--Liyun Jin