With most of the Bay Area under a “shelter in place” order, big parties and celebrations have been postponed indefinitely. That is creating a difficult economic situation for businesses that cater large events, but one San Francisco bakery has found a new way to generate revenue - quarantine cakes.
“Last week we were on track to have our worst week in history, we were down 65%. The first thing that went through my mind was ‘oh no, how am I going to pay my employees, and how are they going to pay their rent?’” said Amanda Nguyen, owner of the Butter& bakery. “[People> were cancelling birthday cakes but their birthdays were still happening, they just didn’t need a cake that feeds 25 anymore.”
That is when she was inspired to start selling mini cakes to feed one or two people.
The cakes are available for no-contact delivery in San Francisco as well as parts of the Peninsula and East Bay.
Since then, Nguyen has heard from other bakers all over the country and the world who have taken up the strategy to keep their businesses afloat.
"Comfort food is very important these days," said Nguyen. "Everyone should eat more cake.”