By KATIE HOPSICKER
[email protected]
SLINGERLANDS — Linda Kindlon and Justin Cary are bringing sweet treats to Slingerlands. Their company, Bake For You, celebrated its new location with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, June 20.
Holding ceremonial scissors and surrounded by friends, owner Linda Kindlon held back tears, saying “Bake For You started with me baking cookies in a church basement… I never thought it would turn into this.”
Family, friends and onlookers filled the spacious bakery, solidifying the sense of community the shop was built on. Customer and friend Doug Marion stated, “right from day one, [there were] nonstop customers coming to a friendly environment.”
Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce President Maureen McGuinness spoke on Bake For You’s move from Albany to Slingerlands, supported by a “partnership with Windsor Development.” The bakery is the newest addition to the Hamlet at Slingerlands, a mixed-use development featuring both residential and commercial space. McGuiness thanked Kindlon for bringing her business to the community, and shared a personal anecdote of her father’s life lesson to “always eat dessert first.”
Bake For You had received a $35,000 grant through the Town of Bethlehem’s Microenterprise Grant program too.
Town Supervisor David VanLuven was also present, and spoke on the importance of community. A fire occurring in Slingerlands on June 13 led to a water main break, causing Bake For You to postpone its opening date. VanLuven described how Kindlon and Cary, instead of complaining, responded by bringing cookies to the first responders.
The sense of friendliness and community in the bakery was further supported by other town board members present for the ceremony: Daniel Coffey, Joyce Becker and Jim Foster. Maureen Cunningham was not present.
The ribbon was cut to tremendous applause by the patrons filling the bakery. The space features a display counter and register along the far corner and wall and the spacious room holds many tables and seating options. A large doorway provides access to outdoor patio seating.
Along with cookies, brownies, cakes and pastries, customers can choose from a selection of savory options as well. Salads, soups, toast, quiche and more are available and described each morning from videos on Bake For You’s Facebook page. One post featured Bake For You’s use of fresh ingredients from Kleinke’s Farm.
“I’m proud to be working with her, proud to be a part of the Bethlehem community,” said Kindlon’s partner Justin Cary, adding that “we’re happy to bring cookies, community and jobs… that’s what we’re really about.” Cary gave the final word before the celebration ensued, welcoming everyone to the new location and declaring “let’s be friends.”
Bake For You is located on 5000 Dunhill Court in Slingerlands.
