Zillycakes: Feed Your Imagination
It was really only a few years ago that this house, located at the corner of Elmwood and Lafayette, was a complete disaster. Basically, it was a rooming house where a number of notorious shoplifters resided. One of those shoplifters regularly caused havoc at my store on Elmwood. Then Eran Epstein of E-Square Capital purchased the property and rehabbed it. Overnight this property went from flop house to housing legitimate tenants.
Fast forward a couple more years and this house is positioned to host its first commercial tenant. And don't think that I'm talking about low-profile business that would hide out in the attic. This house will soon be home to Zillycakes, an upscale cake design studio run by Zilly Rosen. I asked Zilly how she was going to pull this off and she explained, "I'm converting the garage addition (Elmwood side) into a glass storefront where I will work on cake design. Cakes have changed over the years, and with the advent of the Food Channel, people are fascinated by the artistic side of baking. Actually, there will be no baking there - that will be done primarliy by Dolci Bakery. I plan on taking baking and cake design to a whole new art form. When the glass doors are closed, passers-by will still be able to see me working on the cakes. It's going to be a fun business - very eye-catching. I'm so happy... I've finally decided what I want to be when I grow up."
Zilly will offer all of the cake design expertise, as well as consultation and delivery. She told me that the architectural build-out plans recently passed zoning too(!). Believe it or not, there were still a couple of people who tried to stop this project... people who will never understand how important these types of transitions are for the continued growth of the city. We need to see more and more residential-to-commercial conversions on Elmwood. The more commercial venues, the more the Elmwood Village will become a connected walking district. It's a scary thought that anyone could be concerned enough to go out of their way to voice themselves as concerned parties - especially with a project like this. Fortunately, Zilly fought hard to see her dream become reality even when faced with adversity. This will be a big boost for the Elmwood Village and for cake-lovers all over Western New York. Zillycakes is scheduled to open in either December or January.
For more information, or to schedule a tasting, call Zilly at 716-903-3405
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buffaloweiner
The first comments that come to mind are:
1) I applaud the owners because the property now looks well maintained and adds to the community
2) Shingle homes are meant to have dark colors....in order to organically blend into what was meant to be a tree canopy fronting the property reducing a large home into a more human scale. My opinion, they like most Buffalonians chose the wrong colors. The shingles should have been various shades of a much darker color reflective of the various shingle styles while the trim could have remained shades lighter accentuating the details.
3) Yes it goes back to Buffalo State College. No one from Buffalo State is going to be buying these cakes which again supports my long term thesis for Elmwood. ELMWOOD IS NO LONGER A COLLEGE STRIP but an integrated extension of the surrounding residential neighborhoods.
This places a premium on the remaining elmwood residences which should be restored as residences and of course the continued infill of residential and commercial development on Elmwood.
This also continues the growing drum beat to President Howard over at Buffalo State to focus her development on Grant, Tonawanda and Amherst. Grant should and must become the NEW college strip for Buffalo State and a strong message could be made by moving the Buffalo State Bookstore (which I think is a Borders or Barnes&Noble) off campus to Grant where it can be easily accessed by both the student and the community.
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Zillycakes
Thanks to Buffalo Rising for the story! FYI, Zillycakes is one word, and Dolci (not Dolce as written above) is at 732 Elmwood Avenue, just 3 blocks south of Zillycakes. One other small correction: I passed the zoning board in July to change my space from residential to commercial. This week my architectural plans and drawings are being submitted to City Hall; my opening date will depend upon how quickly they turn them around! In the meantime, I am conducting tastings and design consultations for events in 2009 from Dolci's retail space. I will continue to be available there until my space at 841 Elmwood Avenue is open. Please contact me if you have any questions about my project at 716-903-3405, or visit my website at www.zillycakes.com. On the "coming soon" page, you will find details of my progress on the opening of Zillycakes!
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mpowers
Congrats, ZIlly, all good things :)
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STEEL
Oh come on now Queenseyes - Everyone knows that bakeries are very bad for neighborhoods.
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WhatRUsmoking
Not to take anything away from Zillycakes - but the appearance of this building really bothers me. The rehab appears to have quit with about 10% to go, and I haven't seen any progress in at least one year. It's not apparent in the picture, but walk by this building and you will see that the paint is badly mismatched, there is very obvious spray foam that oozed out around some of the windows, and the new railing to the side door on Elmwood is a joke. I can only hope that the renovations for Zilly include finishing the entire outside of the building, because seriously, it is sad.
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cire
I agree WhatRUsmoking, it seems like they never really finished the project. Not to mention the fact that they rarely mow the lawn!!
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leadi
Congrats Zilly!
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crisa
Ohmygoodness! There's that house! And that picture of it is soooo what I am typing about.
A long, long time ago, I took our kids and our little nephew to a Halloween spooky house thingy at the church across the street. Before going inside the church, (while trying to find a parking space), I commented to the kids how much that house also looked like a Halloween witch. Then we went into the church.
Our kids loved that spooky stuff, but the little guy was terrified. And when we came outside, (me carrying him--his face burried in my coat until he knew he was outside), the first thing he saw was that house again! He pointed to it and said that scared him too!
See it? The witch's hat, her eyes, nose, mouth and ears?
I passed that house often in later years and always remembered that day.
I love the name Zillycakes. Are you going to bake only cakes? Pies? What about cookies and such for a walk-in clientele? (I can't be reading your site. I'm supposed to be cooking dinner.)
Not only are there tons of kids in Buffalo who go past that house in cars and school buses, but there are also tons of kids in that neighborhood. What about a featured cookie that will bring the parents in regularily? A cookie shaped like that dormer--or whatever that protusion is called?
Heck. It could be a basic cookie shaped like that dormer, and, instead of being decorated for only one occasion, it could be dressed differently as each holiday or special occasion comes upon us!!!
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pegger
I know I had seen this house on the MLS site as recent as this year. I considered investigating a purchase myself. Without knowing any of the history, my interest quickly waned when I saw that it was multiple housing and the property taxes.
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Zillycakes
In response to some of the postings above, regarding whether we will sell cakes alone, and who might be buying (or not buying) my cakes: As is fitting of a studio, bout half of my business will be custom cakes, commissioned by customers for weddings, retirements, anniversaries, birthdays, bar/bat mitvahs, etc. During the week, during the day, my hours will be by appointment only. I have an degree in teaching as well as fine art, so 25% of my business will be classes, workshops, kid's parties, and private events. Monthly offerings will be posted online. Like you would expect from a studio, these classes will be focusing more on the visual elements of cakes and cookies; i.e. they will not be design classes, not cooking classes. The last 25% of my business will be retail, beginning with limited hours: Thursday 4pm-9pm, Friday 4pm-9pm, and Saturday 12pm-6pm. While a Buff. State student might not commission a custom cake from me, they will certainly enjoy my fresh cupcake bar, icing shots, and naked cakes. You could even call ahead and book a cupcake flight in my special tasting booth. I specialize in beautifully crafted cutout cookies, too, so be sure there will always be a fresh display of those on hand. As a parent of a 3 year old and 6 year old, you can also be sure that I will always welcome families!
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Zillycakes
Oops, sorry, typo above...the classes WILL be design classes, will NOT be cooking classes (though I might do a mixing/rolling/baking demo on occasion).
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300miles
Zillycakes - great to hear a business will be opening there!
Do you plan to renovate the exterior of the building extensively (where the store part will be)? Or is it pretty much replacing the garage door?
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bhorvath
I wonder what happened to the original plan for this property.
When I lived in the EV this was being developed as "luxury rentals".
Now this entrepreneur has to redo work to start a business - seems like there's a story somewhere as one can clearly see the finished product is less than hoped for in the rehab.
Zinny - for your type of business why not try to coop with a larger kitchen and save the money in rehabbing this place (again)...do you have a financial consultant? Or, do you think the EV is the ideal place for your cake shop?
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TroyT
Absolute best of luck, follow your dream and don´t look back!
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Zillycakes
Oops, sorry, typo above...the classes WILL be design classes, will NOT be cooking classes (though I might do a mixing/rolling/baking demo on occasion).
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Zillycakes
Oops, sorry, typo above...the classes WILL be design classes, will NOT be cooking classes (though I might do a mixing/rolling/baking demo on occasion).
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onestarmartin
zilly...sign me up for a course, i would love to learn how to work with fondant and sugar flowers! [and drop some cards off at my store, brides are always lookung for kool cakes] congrats and good luck!
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c3buffalo
Congratulations and Good Luck, Zilly!
- Cheryl, Charlie & Chad
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buffaloweiner
*****PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE COLLEGE STUDENTS*****
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buffalostan
I need a birthday cake for the grandkid with a photo of the grandkid on it was going to get it at jubile but I come down an support your business instead
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bhorvath
As expected -
Nobody steps up to address the history of the 'rehabbing' of this property
You guys are getting weak
Zilly - if your business advisor is BRO, best of luck. I actually did some of my own due diligence and it seems you picked some stiff competition in Delish and Dolci within 3 blocks of you. Have you checked their books/IRS filings? How do you plan to pull their market share away from them? But it's the EV so it must be where you should be (BRO told you so).
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kooksapalooza
Zilly, pay no attention to the above poster...they have multiple personaligties on here...including everybody's favorite known as grace. I wish you the best of luck and will def swing by once you get it up and running!
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bhorvath
BRO can confirm I am not anyone but bhorvath at anytime on this site.
Nice try, another easy way out,
out of site out of mind
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bhorvath
In fact let's see if BRO has the integrity to stick up for one of their patrons.
I post with a MAC and a PC, always as bhorvath, my real identity.
I find your accusation reeking with the kind of mentality the disciples of BRO have - if it aint what I think they must be up to no good. You are a joke kooks. I care more about this person "zilly" than you do.
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MRodgers
Zilly, CONGRATS and best wishes! Where can I find out more about your classes. I have a friend who loves to bake and we watch Duff every Sunday. I'd love to get a gift certificate for him to attend your class.
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kooksapalooza
my apologies bhorvath i was out of line
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grace
kooks - you are the best. sing to me you little freak. Kooks, will you marry me? we'll get together and have some chicken wings grease cakes and Ron Jaworski memorabilia.
Do you like Chuck Mangione? Do do do, dee dee dee dee...
Kook's I'm Leavin' I must be on my way, the time is drawin' near, my plane is going, i see it in your eyes, the love beneath your tears...buffalonians like Styx.
My little kookie monster. Do you remember Ed Rutkowski, kookster? You remind me of him...Strong jaw.
Kooks, if I could, I'd move to Cheektowaga to be your woman. I'll shovel 16 feet of dirty snow if i have to to get to your love.
Yours, Grace
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grace
kooks - you are the best. sing to me you little freak. Kooks, will you marry me? we'll get together and have some chicken wings grease cakes and Ron Jaworski memorabilia.
Do you like Chuck Mangione? Do do do, dee dee dee dee...
Kook's I'm Leavin' I must be on my way, the time is drawin' near, my plane is going, i see it in your eyes, the love beneath your tears...buffalonians like Styx.
My little kookie monster. Do you remember Ed Rutkowski, kookster? You remind me of him...Strong jaw.
Kooks, if I could, I'd move to Cheektowaga to be your woman. I'll shovel 16 feet of dirty snow if i have to to get to your love.
Yours, Grace
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impressingagent
grace.. do u listen to rap music or something? i have a cd to recommend. its called tashan dorrsett. peace
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Zillycakes
More responses to the posts above, at least the ones that make sense to me: 1. Class information will be posted on my website once I have an opening date, but if you zip me an email, I will put you on my mailing list right now. Email is on my website, but here it is too: zilly@zillycakes.com.
2. Renovation/Facade: I'm working with EVA design committee and ESquareCapital's architect to change the existing space into something that will be visually and functionally in keeping with the EVA design guidelines. Zillycakes is a high end design studio and school...expect the outside facade and the interior decoration to reflect that.
3. Yes, of course, I have business advisors, a valid business plan, and I have done my own due diligence for two years. I have a clear idea of what Zillycakes will be, and it will not be another Dolci or Delish. They do what they do well...but they do not do the things I will be doing, with the attention to detail that is a signature of my work and my customer service. I am using a different business model than anything else on Elmwood, so I understand your questions and appreciate your concerns, but I think you'll soon have them answered. As to how I plan to pull this off and draw in customers, you'll have to keep checking my website and stop in when we are open to find out!
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