OBSERVER Photo by MJ Stafford Sydney Bigelow stands at her new baked goods shop, Sydney's Sweet Treats, on the Dunkirk Boardwalk.
Bigelow's sinful baked goods are “It went viral.” at Dunkirk and Fredonia. After spending months building the brand through her third-party sales and her home-based business, she now has her own store, “Sydney's Sweet Her Treats,'' on the Boardwalk next to Dunkirk Pier. I am.
Her move to offer viral treats began with COVID-19.
Bigelow was previously best known for her softball prowess, having a string of big hits for Fredonia High School's teams in the mid-2010s. After her graduation, she went to Mercyhurst Northeast where she continued her softball career.
But then March 2020 arrived and COVID-19 shutdowns began.
Photo submitted by Sydney Bigelow Cookies and muffins are just some of the sweet treats Sydney Bigelow will be serving at her new Dunkirk location.
“We were in Florida and we were supposed to play our last game, but we got sent home.” she remembered. Mercyhurst then permanently closed its Northeast campus. “It was like, you guys can't go back.”
Bigelow ended up doing online coursework at the State University of New York at Fredonia. “But it wasn't for me.” She also worked in several places.
During, “I was baking bread at home and posting pictures online, and suddenly Fred's (a restaurant in Fredonia) contacted me and said, 'Would you like to come work for us?' ”
At first, she didn't bake. But Fred's owner, Devon Jones, suggested they try a few things as an experiment.
“It really took off.” she said.
Jones then said Bigelow should start a business from his home with baked goods. She did, and it started too. Finally, “Someone picked up cupcakes from my house and told me about the Boardwalk.”
A space just became available there, so Bigelow found it and signed a lease in January. Sydney's Sweet Treats began there in early March.
The store is only open on Sundays, Bigelow said, explaining that the amount and variety of products she makes takes four days. She doesn't have any employees, but two of her family's volunteers help out.
“There's usually a line. It's a few doors down.” she said. “Our regulars are great people. That's probably my favorite part of the job. I've built relationships with a lot of people over the years, and it's only been four weeks. yeah.”
Bigelow has an ambitious menu. During the Observer's visit, the board listed cookies, filled pastries, croissants, brownies, muffins, cupcakes, bagels and granola.
new item ideas “Just a reminder. I'm doing some research. I don't want anything I see here.”
Mr. Bigelow added: “I try to give people something they don't normally see. I have something to look forward to this week.”
She said she did not envisage a set menu. “People like variety in flavors. We keep our favorites but change others.”
Dunkirk Mayor Kate Udowias, the city's Chamber of Commerce and other stakeholders cut the ribbon for Sydney Sweet Treats on March 19th.
“Mayor Udovias and the City of Dunkirk Taste are beaming with joy at the addition of this new business to our waterfront.” According to a press release from City Hall. “Residents can simply follow the warm aroma of cinnamon rolls to find this wonderful bakery mecca.”
Bigelow continues to sell products at Fredonia's Tuscan Market and deli.
