Maplewood Chamber of Commerce features a different business each month. This month it’s Encore Baking Company.
Business Name:
Encore Baking Company
Owned by:
Francie Valenta
How would you describe Encore Baking Company?
Encore Baking Co is a specialty cake shop. I specialize in wedding cakes that I decorate with my hand made sugar flowers. I make custom decorated cakes for birthdays, anniversaries, showers, and baptisms, as well.
I also have a few caterers and clients that I supply with cakes and other baked goods.
What is the most exciting thing to happen to your business?
Moving to Maplewood!
My business was in the city on Hampton (Sweet Encores) for almost 20 years and I moved to Maplewood 9 years ago and renamed my business: Encore Baking Co.
It’s been fun meeting so many nice people and becoming friends with some of my very loyal customers over the years. I have had the opportunity to make cakes for: Stan Musial; Whitey Herzog; Joe Torre; Howard Nemerov (novelist, Pulitzer Prize winner, and poet laureate); a wedding cake featured in a movie filmed in St. Louis (White Palace), starring Susan Sarandon and James Spader; a wedding cake for two Motown executives, for 700 people that took place at a beautiful home on Lindell; and most recently, I met Ellie Kemper. (She was in The Office, as well as Bridesmaids and The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt!) She came to my shop in Maplewood with her mom, Dottie, and her sister, Carrie. She helped her sister, Carrie, choose the flavor and design of her wedding cake!
They were a lot of fun, as are ALL of my clients! Everyone I meet, whether they are “famous” or not, are always so much fun! It’s such a happy business to be in. When people come to me to order a cake, they are happy and excited to celebrate with a cake, whatever their occasion may be.
Do you have a “favorite” Maplewood or Richmond Heights business other than your own?
I have SO many favorite businesses in Maplewood! I could never pick just one.
At the top of my list is Vom Fass! I love the concept! And, I love ALL the olive oils, balsamic vinegars as well as the Whiskeys, liquors and Wines that they have. Anita is so knowledgeable about all of her products and her and her staff make it so fun when you visit her shop, letting you taste everything!
I also love The Living Room! Nate is an exceptional baker. His scones, breakfast sandwiches and quiches are awesome. And, his coffee is so unique and delicious. I love the hand brewing method they use.
Bolyard’s Meat & Provisions Butcher Shop is another one of my favorites! We’ve cooked many unbelievably delicious cuts of their pork, beef and chicken. As well as the farm fresh eggs and their chicken stock. The beef jerky is awesome and so are their smoked meats from their Thursday Smoke Out! And their lunch specials are unique and yummy! We went to their Burger Battle and it was so much fun! And, also delicious.
The Side Project Cellar is another great new addition to Maplewood. It is one of our favorites! We love their beer! (And the owners!)
I have many other favorites…
Foundation Grounds. Pie Oh My! – Jane is an amazing pie maker. Kakao!-Brian’s chocolates are heavenly! Maven!-love their candles! Sole Survivor- Such unique purses, wallets and cool belts. Bee Naturals-so many great lotions and natural products. Smith/Lee Productions-Barry Lee is very nice and talented (and also a great baker!) Strange Donuts. Traveling Tea. The Maya Café. Studio X… I could go on and on.
I really LOVE having a business in Maplewood! The people who live in the neighborhood have been so friendly and welcoming. And, all the business owners support and promote one another.
Also, Rachelle and Jeannine are both amazing, creative women, who are always so helpful in helping me promote my business!
We also feel so fortunate to have a great landlord (Rob Birenbaum)!
I can’t say enough wonderful things about Maplewood!
I love it here!
Encore Baking Company is located at 2730 Sutton Blvd in Maplewood. www. encorebaking.com Facebook- Encore Baking Company. Pinterest- Encore Baking Company.
Francine made my wedding cake almost 9 years ago. People still mention it today! It was the best-tasting cake I’d ever had. I would definitely recommend Encore for special occasion cakes.
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