Gloversville bakery reopens despite obstacles

GLOVERSVILLE – People lined up at Cravings Bakery and Cafe in Gloversville on Tuesday to get cupcakes and cookies.

“When she was at the other location, it was actually one of the favorite locations me and my mom used to go to all the time,” customer Jazmin Jones said. “Used to walk there, get coffees, teas, all that.”

Owner Ashley Tauss bought and renovated the former firehouse on Cayadutta Street.

“This is the classic adaptive re-use of an old building in our city, and it’s very close to the downtown. It’s right in the downtown area,” Gloversville Mayor Vincent DeSantis said.

The first version of Cravings closed during COVID, then stayed closed after a car crashed into it.

Then, the day before the opening, another blow.

“What happened yesterday was awful, it was really scary,” said Tauss. “It could have ruined this whole moment for me, but I refuse to let that happen.”

Someone broke in, shattering glass, and stole the cash register.

However, Tauss says the silver lining was seeing all the love and support.

“From strangers, from the community, everywhere. People were stopping here constantly saying how can we help, what can we do,” Tauss said.

She looks back and says the devastating crash pushed her to buy the former firehouse and expand.

This is her dream.

“I grew up baking with my grandma. That’s really how it started,” she said.

“We’re very proud of her, always been proud of her and this is a dream for her, and we love to see people’s dreams come true,” aunt Susan Antonucci said.

With the cut of a ribbon, the new bakery is launched. Now Tauss is serving up sweet creations to hungry customers.

There are inspirational sayings all over the walls – ones she takes to heart.

“She believed she could, so she did.”