Popular Babycakes café set to reopen

Alexandra Matthews Assistant Life Editor

There’s a familiar gold sign overlooking Collegeview Avenue that can produce a Pavlovian salivary response in every passerby. However, those enamored of Babycakes café have had to endure long months without it as the space underwent renovations.

But have no fear: Babycakes is better (and bigger) than ever and is set to reopen within the next week. Although a definite date has not been set, the café owners hope to be open by Nov. 11.

Former patrons are greatly anticipating the reopening. “I get e-mails daily from the community. People want to be put on a mailing list,” said Babycakes co-owner Susan Wysocki.

Babycakes, located just beyond the North Gate, is a European-style bakery and café owned and run by Jarek and Susan Wysocki. Catering to locals and hungry college students, Babycakes specializes in cakes and pastries, as well as lunches that customers can either take out or enjoy in a small, casual setting. The café takes pride in its devotion to fresh ingredients, making every item from scratch.

Business was booming as the cafe reached its fifth anniversary this past June, and the Wysockis realized that Babycakes was rapidly outgrowing its space. “We couldn’t accomodate all of our customers. We didn’t feel [they] were comfortable,” said Susan Wysocki. Thus they decided to remodel, and Babycakes has been undergoing renovations since Aug. 5.

These renovations entail, first and foremost, expansion. The business bought adjacent spaces and tripled in size so that Babycakes will now comfortably seat 50 to 60 customers. A new air conditioning system and two bathrooms were installed to ensure further comfort and care.

In the old Babycakes, customers weren’t the only ones in cramped conditions. Pastry chefs had a difficult time working with delicate ingredients in the intense heat of the kitchen.

To make the chefs more comfortable, the Wysockis constructed a second kitchen and equipped both kitchens with full hood systems, new grilling and deep frying equipment, and much more refrigeration space.

With the new space and machinery, Babycakes is trying something new: dinner. Hamburgers, home-made french fries, and even vegan and vegetarian dishes are just some of the items on the dinner menu. And, with its own liquor license, Babycakes will be serving alcoholic beverages from its newly installed bar during its extended hours.

Will the original menu change? Not at all, said Susan Wysocki. “Just all new dinner items. There will still be casual options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—salads, soups, sandwiches. And it’s still reasonably priced.”

Former Babycakes employee Sacha Manov ’08 said she was “really glad that they’ve expanded. Space was the most important issue. [But] I hope they can keep their small business feel.”

Susan Wysocki said that Babycakes’ intimate ambiance won’t be compromised. Babycakes “is still very casual. We only do what we can handle. We’re not here to make 1,000 meals,” said Wysocki.

Despite acknowledging the need for renovations, students miss the café. “It seems like it’s a big part of my Vassar life. I’m really excited for it to come back,” said Manov.

“Its [reopening] is long overdue. They’re just building up suspense, but it’ll be worth it,” said Nate Mandel ’10. “I think that Babycakes is a great place to go with a couple of friends and have an intimate late breakfast,” he added.

The Wysockis hope that their renovations will bring more independent, cozy eateries to the area. They believe that the area “could soon become a mecca for food and drink in Poughkeepsie.”

But most of all, Babycakes employees and owners alike are excited to be in touch with the community and Vassar students again. “We can’t wait to be open!” said Wysocki.

So get your VCards ready (they are still accepted there) and keep an eye out for Babycakes’ greatly anticipated return.