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Cake Boss Buddy Valastro Keeps it Local for the Holidays

To encourage Hobokenites to shop at Carlo's Bakery, Valastro is making some changes. Patch spoke to him on Wednesday afternoon.

 

Cake Boss Buddy Valastro wants to make sure locals will still be able to eat his canoli this holiday season.

"So I came up with an idea," Valastro said on the phone on Wednesday.

Anticipating long lines to get into the store, Valastro is instituting something new: order and pick up.

For the first time, Carlo's Bakery's entire menu will be available—and ready to be ordered—online, Valastro said. Talking on the phone in Secuacus, on the set of his cooking show, Valastro said he wants to make sure the locals can still enjoy his baking.

"I know with the lines and waits and everything, people are turned off," Valastro said, "I get it."

The new feature is aimed at locals who would otherwise get their pastries elsewhere.

And while the show has made the bakery, and Hoboken, famous—Valastro's shows are broadcast in more than 180 countries world wide—the Cake Boss understands that it can be tough for Hobokenites to get their lobster rolls or banana cream pies.

"I notice that they're not coming," Valastro said about the locals. "It bothers me, you know."

Valastro hopes to change that by—besides the online menu—also instituting the option of being able to call a few minutes before you're picking up your order and getting curbside service.

Most of all, especially during the holidays, it's important to remember where you came from, Valastro said.

"My father always told me," Valastro said, "'never forget where you come from.'"

And even with three television shows, a national tour and a book out, Valastro vows not to forget.

"I'm a baker in New Jersey, that's what I have always been," Valastro said. "That's what I'll always be."

glasspix

9:10 pm on Thursday, December 15, 2011

I'm one local that used to buy all my cakes form this bakery. Since this show started they raised thier prices and the quality has gone down. The last time I went in there for a cherry crumbcake, they were all out. I got a blueberry one instead. It was dried out and a dollar more. I do a lot of business in that part of town and now when they have a line it's totally impossable to park around there.

Now all of the sudden, Buddy is sorry the locals can't pay for his cake? How about getting me a parking space. The cake ain't what it used to be. Why would any local want his cake when we do have better choices of where to spend money without the baker making me feel like he's doing me a favor. Hey Buddy, you can't have your cake and eat it to.

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