The walls of Cairo Cakes and Pastries are covered in Egyptian art that remind owner Ibrahem Habib of home, but the baker’s shelves feature treats of many different countries.
“Sometimes customers ask, ‘What kind of bakery are you? Italian? American?’” Habib said. “And I say, ‘We do all, a mix, everything.’”
The variety of pastries in Habib’s shop showcases his diverse background, with sweets that range from custom wedding cakes to baklava to tiramisu.
Habib originally trained in French-style baking when he attended culinary school in his home country of Egypt. Then when he moved to America in 1997, he spent nearly seven years working at an American-style bakery.
Before long, he decided to chase his own American dream.
“It was my dream to open my own business,” Habib said.
In 2005, he opened Cairo Cakes and Pastries at its current Parkway Avenue location. Set off the road and partially obscured by an automobile service center, the business was slow to attract customers.
“It was a very tough time when I started,” he said. “There was no indication it’s in the back.”
Habib relied on the quality of his products and word-of-mouth to bring in new business. Now, he said he enjoys a steady base of regular customers.
In fact, some customers walk in when the bakery isn’t even open. Though Cairo Cakes and Pastries is closed every Monday, Habib said he will often be at work in the back, catching up on a long list of orders. He won’t light up the “open” sign, but that doesn’t stop determined customers.
“If we are here, we’ll serve the customers that come in,” he said.
Cairo Cakes sells wedding cakes, custom cakes for birthdays and other special occasions.
Strawberry shortcake is one of Habib’s best sellers, but he said tiramisu is his favorite dessert to make. He said he and his bakers make it “the classic way — the right way.” The Italian specialty is also a best seller, he said.
While many of his customers come in with the aim of picking up a cake or pie, Habib said he does a brisk business selling slices and single servings. Chocolate fudge cake, Napoleons, cannoli and cookies are all popular with those seeking to indulge a momentary attack of the sweet tooth. Cairo also makes and sells eclairs, carrot cake, cheesecake, fruit and nut tarts, cupcakes and even pies.
Habib said nothing affects him like satisfying his customers.
“That’s my main concern, waiting to see the face of the [satisfied] customer,” he said.
Cairo Cakes, 831 Parkway Ave., is open Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesdays through Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Phone: (609) 882-2058. On the Web: cairocakes.com.
