Where it all began…

Melissa started her baking business out of her home. She was only offering custom cookies, while working full time in the food service industry.  She started a website that she created called “www.sweetmelissacookies.com” back in 2008.   Late nights and very early mornings we required to make it all happen, all while working a full time job.  Her husband would help her bag and box her orders, and family members and friends helped her bake when needed.  After her first child, she decided to focus on her baking full time, so she could be home with her son.   She expanded the menu to cupcakes, cake pops (these were a “new” and trendy item back then), and of course custom cakes.

She loved to bake from the time she was a little girl, imagining delicious flavor combinations and creating visually striking sweets.   Melissa had a passion to create cakes that tasted as good as they looked, and every cake was an important one for her.   Opening a storefront was a HUGE dream, and in 2014 that dream was made.   After a year of planning, saving, prepping and stressing, the storefront off of Broad Street came to fruition.  She hired her first employees, and they went to work!

The first storefront…

The first bakery was called ” Sweet Melissa Cake Boutique”.  The vision was to have a SMALL storefront, and focus mainly on custom orders.  The plan was to have a FEW items for sale, but rely mostly on custom orders and pick ups.  A few offerings of biscotti, cupcakes, cake pops and sugar cookies were offered. They quickly realized the town had a demand for a Bakery, not just a ” Cakery” ( as they referred to this small storefront).

The menu slowly, but surely, expanded.  Favorite items were developed, many regular customers we met through the years, and a relationship with the town of Middletown was formed.    The small ” Cakery” was quickly growing, and the staff worked tirelessly to meet the demands of the public.

Sweet Melissa Bakery & Coffee Shop

After 5 years of filling custom orders and running a busy storefront, Melissa had another vision. She wanted to create a beautiful space for the people of Middletown to pass the time: stocked with pastries, cakes, and a full coffee bar.  Melissa’s husband, Vince, is from Italy.  His hometown is a place they visit often, and are inspired by as well.  She wanted to have a place that would offer every sweet treat imaginable, and a place to make family memories.   In 2019, that dream came true when Melissa and Vince opened today’s location of Sweet Melissa Bakery & Coffee Shop.

She continuously works hard every day to be sure that the vision is met, and that customers always have so many new options to select from (while of course keeping the favorites!).   The storefront is decorated meticulously for every holiday by Melissa and her crew.

They do this so that customers can have a beautiful and memorable place to visit, especially with the little ones!