Photo via The Columbia Spectator
"An Upown Magnolia Makes Avoiding the Freshman 15 a Whole Lot Harder," The Columbia Spectator
From the moment owner Steve Abrams opened up shop, the new bakery was packed with people, just like its flagship location in Greenwich Village. Yet the frenzy did not seem to faze dedicated staff members, who took care to attend to every last detail while anxious customers waited for doors to unlock. Cupcake trays were gingerly placed upon counter tops, fresh flower bouquets were primped and primed, and vintage lace curtains were carefully tied back with perfect ribbon bows. Magnolia’s warm interior hues, sweet aromas, and old-fashioned charm certainly have a way of catching the unknowing passerby by surprise.
“The Upper West Side was in need of a homey place,” said store manager Rosella Albanese. “Everything here is homemade in our kitchen that customers see right in front of them, and then served fresh.”
Watching the kitchen staff is a bit like watching a family of worker bees toiling together, each a master of his own rhythm. The resulting confectionery marathon is itself a spectacle: as fast as the sweet treats disappear, they are replenished, always
looking and tasting just as irresistible as the previous batch.
The original Magnolia Bakery opened in 1996 and was purchased by its current owner in 2007. But does the quick expansion maneuver portend future branches throughout New York and beyond?
“That’s something to think about down the road, but right now we are concentrating on the Upper West Side,” Albanese said. And judging by the reception the second store has received in just its first few days of business, the prospect of further expansion seems more than likely.
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