Meet the Merchant: Lupita Perez, general manager, Cottage Bakery & Delicatessen
Published 5:23 am Friday, November 16, 2018
- Dozens of different baked good are made fresh daily beginning at 2 a.m. The bakery opens for customers at 4 a.m.
How long have you worked at the bakery?
“17 years.”
What are your primary responsibilities?
“Everything (Ha-ha). The most important is our product and customer service.
I see all the schedules, work with the owners and whatever the business needs.”
And your days start early?
“We open at 4 a.m. everyday except Christmas and Thanksgiving.”
What’s busier, breakfast or lunch?
“Both. Breakfast time is very busy and the lunchtime is the same — so many sales.”
What’s your favorite item in the case?
“The cream cheese croissants, maple bars, florentines and Devil Dogs are some of my favorites. Everything is very good.”
What’s the most popular among the customers?
“We sell everything but people will come in looking for Devil Dogs, apple fritters, maple bars, cream cheese croissants. We sell a lot of pastries and Danishes.”
Have there been any famous customers?
“For me everyone is famous.”
What’s your favorite part of the job?
“Customer service. I like interacting with the customers and dealing with the staff. I like it when the kids get excited when they see the big cookies and donuts. We are fortunate that people come from everywhere and they are amazed at all the items we have and say that in big cities they don’t see bakeries like this.”
Has the bakery changed much in the 17 years you’ve been there?
“No, it’s been the same since I started. Customer service is the number one priority for everyone here. We try to do everything right and have something for everybody.”
Are there any new additions to the menu or any items being considered?
“Every once in a while we having something new. It depends on the season.”