Former Pittsburgh Steeler Wes Lyons is now serving up baked goods in Pittsburgh’s Waterfront plaza. His unique bakery, called Cakery Square, is mixing up the Pittsburgh dessert scene by not only serving tasty treats, but providing students with a place to get a first job, and experience how a business is run.
Cakery Square works in tandem with Lyons educational mentorship program, “The Pursuit,” which he began in October of 2013.
The purpose of “The Pursuit” program is to help equip students with the skills to make better choices for the rest of their lives, as well as encourage them to become lifelong learners. The curriculum focuses on skills like decision-making, writing and communication, goal-setting, and comprehension.
The Pursuit program, which works with hundreds of local kids, is hiring from within the program at the Cakery Square shop. Lyons hopes to help students by giving them opportunity for a first job. Additionally, the bakery will give all students a place to hang out, and see how a business is run.
Cakery Square had a grand opening last month, and the project has already become a huge success. Lyons spoke with CBS Pittsburgh, and said that many students are already involved in the program, hanging out in the space, volunteering their time and getting involved.
Lyons told the Pittsburgh Post Gazette that the idea to open a bakery came out of the dessert tastings he’s hosted in Pittsburgh for the last few years. Because The Pursuit works with many schools near the Waterfront Plaza, it only made sense to open the project in this area. Lyons partnered with his friend and co-owner, Amber Greene, to get the doors officially open.
Cakery Square is a traditional bakery, serving up treats like cupcakes, cakes, doughnuts, muffins, and even larger projects like desserts for weddings, or other large events. For parties, Cakery Square can decorate desserts with themes like the Disney Princesses, Barbie, Hello Kitty, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Eventually Cakery Square hopes to host classes where guests can come in and learn to decorate cakes in a fun atmosphere.
The bakery also sell premium loose leaf tea with unique flavors like Champagne and Amber Cider.
Cakery Square (159 East Bridge Street)
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