Sweet Spot: Stacey’s Total Baked Opens Retail Space
Stacey Sussman’s entrance into the baking world began six years ago with making Pinterest-worthy birthday cakes for kids. She then expanded to baking for friends and family, creating about four to five cakes a week and Stacey’s Totally Baked was born. In October 2020, she left her corporate job and decided to bake full-time. Through her connections in the community and word of mouth recommendations, her business, like rising dough, expanded beyond the realm of her home kitchen. In the fall of 2022, Stacey’s Totally Baked moved into a retail space at 113 Danbury Road, adding her unique contribution to the Copps Hill Plaza’s foodie vibe. “I love the location. I love being able to talk face-to-face with my customers and hear their feedback,” says Sussman.
The new space, formerly occupied by Bahr and Co, is bright and cheery, dominated by a rainbow mural painted by Jaime La Jones. Customers can see right into the kitchen to witness the baking in action, as well as spy the hot pink industrial mixer affectionately named Rosey. “I definitely needed more space, more equipment, and more help,” says Sussman. She now has one full-time and one part-time employee. Her husband Adam and kids help out as well. “Everyone is hands on, because sometimes you just need more hands,” she says.
Sussman is completely self-taught, but you would never suspect that by looking at her stunningly beautiful cakes. While her cakes have a wow factor, Sussman says her specialty is her babkas. Contrary to the infamous Seinfeld episode in which Elaine touts the superiority of the chocolate babka, Sussman believes her cinnamon version is not a lesser babka, but the best babka. “It’s like a delicious cinnamon bun,” she says.
She also makes specialty and signature cupcakes and cookies. Seasonal items, such as sufganiyot during Hanukkah, are available during the holidays.
Sussman hopes to continue to expand her business. “I love to bake, and I bake what I love to eat,” she says. The bakery is open for retail sales Wednesday to Friday 10-5 and Saturdays 9-3. They are also open Mondays and Tuesdays for pre-order pick up, which can be placed through her website or by phone 917-301-3691. You can also follow her on Instagram @staceystotallybaked to keep up with her latest offerings.
