Sweet and Salty’s Satisfies: Curing Cravings During the Pandemic

Sweet and Salty’s Bakery

Sweet and Salty’s is a locally owned bakery serving an arrangement of cookies, both sweet and savory. Located in Valley Cottage, owners and partners MC and Toni bake homemade goods and have a same-day delivery service to Rockland county, Westchester county, and Bergen county.

MC and Toni were both laid off of their jobs in food manufacturing and social work in the beginning of the pandemic. Toni has a baking background as a graduate from the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan and is a skilled pastry chef. Their boredom mixed with their passion for baking led the two owners to launch their own cookie delivery website. They began baking cookies and delivering them to their friends. Soon enough, their website grew and customers outside of their friends and family flooded into their business. Sweet and Salty’s was in full swing.

When did Sweet and Salty’s open?

MC and Toni launched their website and opened their bakery at the end of June 2020, still in the thick of the pandemic. Indoor and outdoor dining was at a halt and restaurants were closed, with only pick-up and delivery options available.

What types of food does Sweet and Salty’s offer?

Sweet and Salty’s is a bake shop centered around cookies. They offer an assortment of different cookie flavors, each hand-crafted with T.L.C, including gluten and dairy free options as well. Sweet and Salty’s use of all-natural, locally sourced ingredients from Marshmallow Co. in Beacon, New York, as well as apples grown right here in the Hudson Valley, gives their cookies a personal and at home touch.

What were the biggest challenges while opening Sweet and Salty’s during the global pandemic?

A lot of families were struggling with being stuck together in quarantine and MC and Toni felt the same way. Not only were they living together, but they were also working together full-time. They had to adjust to being around each other constantly, both at work and at home.

What are some ways Sweet and Salty’s have adjusted to COVID-19?

“Sweet and Salty’s was born out of these challenges and we built our business around the pandemic,” Toni said. Sweet and Salty’s bakery offered quick delivery service and while everyone was quarantined, delivery sounded more appealing. Through their website, contactless ordering is made possible to allow their customers to take precautions against COVID-19.

What made you choose this location to open your business?

Both MC and Toni live in Nyack and wanted to stay connected to their community. They needed to expand their business and their current location was already designed as a bakery, so it was perfect for them. “The Valley Cottage and Clarkstown community has really welcomed us with open arms,” said Toni.

How can I order from them?

Sweet and Salty’s is mainly delivery and pick-up. However, MC and Toni would love to welcome their customers into their shop for indoor dining once the pandemic ends. Once the weather warms up, they plan on adding outdoor seating as well.

What is unique about Sweet and Salty’s bake shop?

All of their products are completely handmade and original. “Our personalities and love really shine through our products which make us very unique,” Toni said. All of their cookies are made completely fresh and never sit out in a case. Your orders are guaranteed to be less than an hour old. Not only are their products unique, but Toni and MC are unique. Sweet and Salty’s is a female-owned, as well as a queer-owned business. Toni is aware that they are “pushing the boundaries on business and speaking our voices and always honoring our truth.”

Do you have any advice for young people interested in starting a business?

MC and Toni both agree that you have to be really passionate about your business and want to be in it. Toni stated that the sacrifices are worth it for the end product. MC’s advice was to experience life and take on jobs you normally wouldn’t do, but never take a job you don’t want.