Photos by Lisa Mullen
Although this is not a walk-in business, customers can call-in custom dessert orders. Pictured: The little Kitchen owner, Jennifer Patterson.By Lisa Mullen
-History-
In February, Jennifer Patterson began creating made-to-order desserts, including cookies of all varieties, apple, blueberry and peach cobbler tarts and mini pound cakes in a tiny commercial kitchen dubbed “The little Kitchen.”
The Coraopolis bakery, located in the rear of Prestige Kitchen and Bath on 4th Avenue, is not your typical walk-in bakery. Customers are encouraged to place orders for the custom made desserts to pick up at a later time.
“I just think (the clients) should feel individualized because I’m not some big box company, it’s me,” said Patterson. “I want them to feel special. To know that I took the time to make it for them individually. The kitchen is small but everything in there is poured with my love.”
Patterson has not always been a business owner or a baker. After a 22-year career in corporate banking came to an end, she chose to see it as a blessing in disguise which afforded her the time to fulfill a dream of one day opening a bakery.
"[The situation] really allowed me to spread my wings,” said Patterson. “It allowed me to follow my dreams.”
Patterson and her husband, Tony Patterson, bought the 912 4th Avenue property in 2019.
After they sold off the 20 cars and innumerable auto parts that had been stored in the building for years, they were able to open their showroom, Prestige Kitchen and Bath.
Patterson then asked her husband to build a commercial kitchen in the back of the showroom, and he agreed.
"The little Kitchen" opened in Coraopolis in February of this year. The bakery offers a variety of delicious made-to-order pastries.Patterson then sought out bakeries that were going out of business and bought equipment needed to stock her commercial kitchen.
“I literally jammed 90 cookie sheets into my car. I think I have a picture of my 4-year-old at the time in between all the baking stuff,” she said.
The little Kitchen will also allow Patterson to work toward fulfilling another dream — to help kids in need.
She will be partnering with Coraopolis Youth Creations to create a community center housed in the same building as The little Kitchen where kids can gather and learn to create healthy meals, and of course, bake desserts.
Coraopolis can expect big things from The little Kitchen, as the community center is slated to be a place to belong, a place to learn and a place to grow, according to Patterson.
Pastry lovers interested in ordering custom-made desserts can call (412) 329-7147 or send an email to thelittlekitchen912@gmail.com to order.
The little Kitchen is active on both Facebook and Instagram.