Two top-tier bakers seek sweet success

Cynthia Walton and Amanda Perreault were part of the team that in 2019 launched The Break Room, a restaurant located in the Greylock Works converted mill in North Adams. Professionally trained pastry chefs—and friends since high school—they worked together for years building a reputation for high-quality, delicious pastries. After four years at The Break Room creating a successful pastry program, they decided to start their own business.

With a positive reputation, high-level baking and organizational skills, many commercial and retail fans, and support from the commercial kitchen landlords at Greylock Works, Cynthia and Amanda were well-positioned to launch, and opened their doors on June 1.

Before opening, they faced challenges—their incomes were low and they had no collateral, plus Cynthia is a single mom—and couldn’t fathom owning a business while working full-time. Enter the FCCDC and North Adams Chamber (NAC): The two organizations collaborated on providing business technical assistance and lending to Cynthia and Amanda. The NAC staff helped the pair design a functional business operations infrastructure, building a website; establishing accounts on social media platforms; creating business cards, branding, and a logo; and setting up a Square point-of-sale system. They also trained Cynthia and Amanda on Wave bookkeeping software, which is integral to supporting their wholesale operations. After six months of working with Business Assistance Consultant Amy Shapiro, the two completed a business plan and the FCCDC provided a grant and loan for Nostalgia Scratch Pastry.

Cynthia and Amanda are now serving up exquisite baked goods to retailers up and down Berkshire County and recently were profiled by The Berkshire Eagle. “We’ve been side by side through every up and down,” Amanda told the paper, “supporting one another, pressing each other to be better at everything we do.” We predict that collaboration will continue to bring nothing but sweet success!