VIENNA - A Mason County native has returned to West Virginia to pursue his dream of running a bakery.
Richard "Tye" Lavender opened Enchanted Bakery, at 2200 Grand Central Ave. in Vienna, last week in the former Quiznos building. The bakery sells made-to-order cupcakes, cakes, cookies, and pies, as well as pepperoni rolls and a few kinds of fresh bread.
With more than 40 flavors of icing and cupcakes, customers have plenty of selection to satisfy their sweet tooth.
Article Photos
Richard “Tye” Lavender, of Vienna, displays a cake decorated with fondant and flowers at Enchanted Bakery on Grand Central Avenue. (Photo by Natalee Seely)
"I like to be unique and surprise people with different flavors," said Lavender, who recently moved to Vienna from Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Up until a year ago, Lavender didn't know how to cook.
"My grandma was injured a year ago, so I took care of her. That meant I had to learn how to cook," he said. "I always knew I wanted to own my own business someday, but it wasn't until I started cooking that I thought about opening a bakery. My grandma encouraged me to give it a try."
Enchanted Bakery offers 41 flavors of icing, including mango, key lime, pineapple, peanut butter, cherry, apricot, root beer and butter pecan. The icings can be matched with any flavor cupcake.
Homemade pies include banana split, buttermilk and graham cracker.
"I focus on cupcakes because they are so versatile, but I can do birthday cakes, wedding cakes and sheet cakes too," said Lavender. "My favorite is the red velvet cupcake; it's my grandmother's recipe that has been in the family for many years."
Lavender said he is thrilled with the opportunity to make specialty cakes for parties. He has experience with fondant and has taken cake decorating classes.
"I've always had a passion for art," said Lavender, who used to work as a special effects makeup artist.
A few flavors are available for walk-in customers, but Lavender encourages people to call ahead for large orders, cakes and special flavors.
Enchanted Bakery is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. For more information or to view the icing flavor list, visit www.enchanted-bakery.com or call 304-916-1218.
