Buttercooky Bakery in Floral Park has received a spiffy makeover and, in the process, expanded its online presence to make the shopping experience easier for customers.
I was surprised when Ben Borgognone called to tell me his bakery had undergone a $250,000 renovation. The place looked fine the last time I was there. But, as Borgognone said, “the bakery is my pride, my other child,” and he wanted to make it look even better. This is the third renovation since he purchased the business in 1995.
Changes involved putting in all new showcases, installing a double rack oven, redoing the outside and plunging into the world of social media.
The new oven allows Borgognone to create more and a greater variety of pastries to fill the much roomier showcases—such as colorful French macaroons, apple and banana strudel, exotic cakes like passion fruit mousse, cake pops, cake balls, plus the usual large assortment of Danish pastries, cakes and cookies. Regarding specialty cakes, the bakery has increased its output doing more sculpted and ethnic favorites. “I can’t make enough of the tres leche cakes,” said Borgognone, “and guava Danish is very popular.” Additionally shelves in the middle of the store are filled with ready-to-go mixed biscotti and cookie platters.
Buttercooky is also a café where customers can relax with a beverage and any pastry from the bakery, with Frank Sinatra crooning in the background. “I want that European feeling,” said Borgognone.
On Oct. 1, Buttercooky is launching its online site where customers can order their pastries and cakes and pay through Paypal. Customers will be able to place orders in either of their locations (Floral Park and Manhasset) to be picked up or delivered. The bakery is also running a photo contest starting in October—send in a photo to any of their social media accounts (Facebook, Foursquare, Yelp, Instagram, Twitter) enjoying one of their products and winners, to be announced on Nov. 1, will win a $25 gift certificate.
Plans are also underway for a renovation of the Manhasset store.
