'Cake Boss' opening Carlo's Bakery in Rittenhouse
Buddy Valastro confirms that it will open this spring at 2101 Walnut St.
About a year ago, I reported that a branch of Carlo's Bakery - popularized by the TLC series Cake Boss - was coming to the corner of 21st and Walnut Streets, near Rittenhouse Square.
But there was no official word from the camp of owner Buddy Valastro.
Until last week, when Buddy called to confirm that the location is a go in the former Hollywood Tans parlor. He says it should open in March.
"We believe in taking our time," he said.
Carlo's, which has been around for a hundred years and was purchased in the 1960s by Valastro's father, has been working in expansion mode of late.
A branch opened in November in Marlton Crossing shopping center.
The shop at 2101 Walnut St. will be the 10th in the empire. A location at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut is also forthcoming, as is a partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line to outfit ships.
Valastro says each bakery does its own baking and decorating from raw dough prepared at his factory in North Jersey.
He said one of his biggest challenges was handling "growing pains. We have a large menu. l might have to shave the menu for quality control."
Meanwhile, Valastro and his family are about to start taping a new season of Cake Boss.