Take the Cake opens Northside café

Take the Cake has opened a new café at 4035 Hamilton Avenue, in the heart of Northside's Lower Block.

In business for 16 years, the bakery has made its name with its spectacular wedding and special occasion cakes.

Melissa Mileto and Doug Faulkner are the third and fourth owners of the bakery, respectively, and their love of creating edible treats led to the new endeavor.

"The decision to expand into serving food is just an extension of what we do and are into," Faulkner says.  "The move to the Lower Block was just a matter of what was available, and it's around existing businesses that will help the community.

With nearly ten times more space than the former bakery, the café features not only a full-service bakery, but also sandwiches, soups, salads, pastas, and savory tarts made from natural, locally-produced ingredients.

"We run a chalkboard menu and when it's gone, it's gone," Faulkner says.

Wi-Fi and community tables invite guests to linger, talk, and relax.

"The café seats about 28," Faulkner says.  "People can hang out – we have a couch and a comfy chair, as well as bar seating overlooking the bakery."

More than 700 people attended a grand opening celebration on February 14.

"We were very surprised and happy by the turn out," Faulkner says.

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Doug Faulkner, co-owner, Take the Cake Café
Photography by Amber Kersley