Hoboken's 'Cake Boss' Eyes Bakery Empire, Starting in Ridgewood

Ridgewood is just the beginning, according to Buddy "Cake Boss" Valastro.

The TLC reality television star and face of Carlo's Bake Shop is scheduled to open his in Ridgewood on Saturday. And, he tells The Star-Ledger, four more bakeries just like it could be opening in the area by the end of 2013.

The Ridgewood location will cater to the customers who want the cakes and canolis without the lengthy tourist lines in Hoboken. A custom cake-making station is among the options offered at 12 Wilsey Square in the village, Valastro previously told Patch.

Already building a growing empire of cakes in grocery stores and on cruise ships, Valastro says Carlo's Bake Shop in Ridgewood represents the start of his own legacy.

"This is my baby more so than Washington Street in Hoboken," he told the daily paper. "That was my dad’s dream and he built it. We’ll eventually rebuild that to reflect this. This is the model."

Added Adam Bourcier, head of branding: "As we start expanding, Hoboken will be like the original Starbucks. It’s more like a touristy destination."