Blondery to close Peekskill NY location, focus on e-commerce

Prepare to say goodbye to the Blondery retail operation in Peekskill.

The bakery, which specialises in blondies, cookies and 11-layer cakes in jars and which started as an e-commerce site in 2018, will close on August 25.

Owner Auzerais Bellamy, who trained in the south of France and has worked at the famed Bouchon Bakery, part of the Thomas Keller restaurant group, as well as Per Se, Daniel and Brooklyn’s Pies ‘n’ Thighs, said that despite the challenges of Hurricane Ida and the pandemic, her business has continued to grow, thanks largely to her e-commerce operations, which account for more than 75% of her revenue.

Retail sales and foot traffic, however, are a different story and have been a concern since the store at 922 Main St. opened in November 2022.

The decision to close the retail store, she said, was not made lightly. Market conditions and local demographics played a role. Likewise, efforts to expand the product line and improve the retail experience did not yield the desired results. This happened despite efforts to build the local community, including participation in festivals, partnerships with small businesses and donations to local law enforcement and city officials.

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Blondery will continue to manufacture and distribute out of Peekskill and maintain its online presence, shipping products nationwide and participating in pop-up events. The focus now will be on growing the online business and meeting customers where they are, Bellamy said.

A limited selection of items, such as doughnuts and cinnamon rolls, will be available during special open hours. Customers are encouraged to subscribe to the Blondery newsletter or the bakery’s social media to receive updates.

Bellamy said, “Blondery is grateful to the Peekskill community and all of the customers who have supported the company. The next chapter promises to be exciting, with a continued dedication to delivering high-quality products and exceptional service.”

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Jeanne Muchnick is a food and restaurant enthusiast. Click here to read her latest articles and follow her latest culinary adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter.