Scout Picciano and Margaret Ahern have a cupcake toast at the new Sweet Teez Bakery, 1211 Dorchester Ave., grand opening last Friday. The new café specializes in nut-free cupcakes and baked goods. Seth Daniel photo
The doors swung open at 1211 Dorchester Ave. for Sweet Teez Bakery on Friday morning, and it was more than just purveyor Teresa Maynard and her family serving up coffee and baked goods.
Maynard, who has operated the catering business for more than a decade out of a shared commercial kitchen, said she had a feeling of all of her loved ones taking part in the celebration – including her late grandmother whose rum cake recipe she still uses.
“One of my favorite things to make here is Sweet Teez Tipsy cakes, which is a rum cake infused with rum,” she said. “It’s my grandmother’s recipe and she died at 102 and every time I open the oven to take it out and smell that smell – I feel I have a part of her with me and what I’m doing here, she’s a part of it too. I’m so blessed.”
The interior of the new Sweet Teez café and bakery. Seth Daniel photo
She was also backed up by plenty of living family members as well, including her husband, Kelvin, and their children and family members.
The operation’s commercial kitchen is massive and capable of turning out thousands of nut-free cupcakes and baked goods for private orders – as they have done for years. But Friday’s excitement was in the front of the house where a new coffee shop and bakery have taken shape as well. Instead of having to order a birthday cake in advance, she said, customers can now come in and pick it up. Meanwhile, frequent customers can now stop by for a coffee and a treat on the way to work.
With pink and dark blue balloons to match the inside décor decorating the front door on the ground floor of the Dot Block building, dozens of the first customers came through the door including Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester (BGCD) employees, Mayor Michelle Wu, and a host of other friends and family.
Rachael Diharce, representing building owner and developer Samuels & Associates, got emotional as she relayed her excitement at having Sweet Teez finally open in the space.
“I’ve been in real estate for a long time and by far this is one of the most special deals I’ve ever worked on,” she said. “This is going to be magic.”
Mayor Michelle Wu noted that many already support the business and that it wouldn’t be a birthday “without a Sweet Teez cake.” She encouraged existing customers and new customers to support the new location.
Added state Rep. Chris Worrell, “This is a story of what Boston is – from baked home goods in her kitchen to scaling up at Commonwealth Kitchen and now opening your own brick and mortar.”
Certificates of congratulations were delivered from Rep. Worrell, Mayor Wu, state Sen. Nick Collins, and Councillor John FitzGerald.
The grand opening celebration was also held on Maynard’s birthday.
Sweet Teez Bakery is open daily 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Malorie Powell brings out a tray of breakfast quiches to waiting customers. Seth Daniel photo
Kelvin and Ellis Maynard keep the line flowing during the grand opening. Seth Daniel photo
Patty Lamb, of BGCD, and Sweet Teez founder Teresa Maynard. Seth Daniel photo
Kelvin Maynard, David Wilson, Doreen Thompson (Maynard’s mother), Teresa Maynard, and Lyric Coleman. Seth Daniel photo
Kelvin Maynard, state Rep. Chris Worrell, Teresa Maynard, Councillor John FitzGerald, and state Sen. Nick Collins. Seth Daniel photo
Tianna Thompson, Kelvin Maynard, Terri and Taylin Thompson. Seth Daniel photo
Teresa Maynard. Seth Daniel photo
Sweet Teez, 1211 Dorchester Ave. Seth Daniel photo
