There's an enveloping scent of sugar and chocolate when you first step into Something Sweet Bakery - like Grandma's cookies and Christmas morning and Willy Wonka's wallpaper - that in candle form could easily make Glade a fortune. The fragrance promises what the case delivers: rows of fresh, flaky pastries, chewy brownies, and rich truffles.
The Ahwatukee bakery, open since late August, is the newest addition to an increasingly trendy strip mall. Anchored by Trader Joe's, the row of shops includes vegetarian favorite Pomegranate and wine and cheese haven Wedge & Bottle. Owner Tina Damon says she waited more than a year to snag the location, time spent baking for friends and neighbors recruited as focus groups.
More sweet somethings coming your way after the jump.
Back in the spring of 2010, the staff at the Ahwatukee Chamber of Commerce were raving about the sample boxes Tina would drop off as she tried new recipes and perfected old ones (maybe a little bit to blame for the group "Biggest Loser" contest that followed). And they weren't the only ones: Around Ahwatukee, this bakery has been as hotly anticipated as the third season of "Glee."
For Tina, baking is a family business.
Out of all the preparatory baking, taste-test boxes, and neighborhood questionnaires emerged éclairs that are at once moist and flaky, decadent cannolis with sweet, citrus flavors, and daily breads (like rosemary, sea salt, and the more unusual mozzarella and pepperoni) that don't need butter.
For those outside Ahwatukee, the bakery's wholesale location (winner of the Ahwatukee Chamber of Commerce's Best New Business Award of 2010) stocks The Urban Tea Loft,Something Sweet is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday. The official Grand Opening and ribbon-cutting will take place at noon on Sept. 23. It is located at 4025 E. Chandler Blvd.
