VALDOSTA — Upon entering the store, sweet scents of icing and cake blend with the aromas of bread and bagels to entice the customers of Red Velvet Bakery, Valdosta’s newest sweet shop. With a wide selection of tasty treats and decadent desserts, the made-from-scratch bakery has something for everyone.
Customers can walk in, place special orders and arrange for catering services, choosing from an impressive, unique menu. Desserts include cupcakes, brownies, lemon bars, cookies and petit fours. Bread can be purchased in flavors like honey wheat, cheese, olive, French, sweet potato, zucchini and banana, and seven-layer cream cakes come in strawberry, blueberry, pineapple, coconut, raspberry and lemon. Specialty cakes in mayhaw, key lime, Italian cream and chocolate raspberry and the very popular gourmet cakes come in 7-layer red velvet, 15-layer chocolate, 15-layer caramel, 15-layer lemon and cream cheese pound cake.
Red Velvet Bakery also creates custom wedding cakes and serves breakfast with Seattle’s Best coffee, biscuit muffins, bagels and cinnamon rolls.
Owner Charlie Bowden spent most of his life in Atlanta, and during his years working for Lowe’s he dreamed of opening a bakery. The job transferred him to Valdosta and several months later suggested another transfer. With two small children, he decided it was time to stop moving, so he settled down here in Valdosta, a place he already loved.
He considers himself fortunate to have tasted the creations of Carolyn Johnson, who decided to “show him the ropes.” With special training from Johnson, he prepared and opened the Red Velvet Bakery, the newest made-from-scratch bakery in the area. He chose the location in a shopping plaza on Gornto Road because it was close to a busy commercial area, yet not in the middle where traffic could create inconvenience. The place also offered ample space for parking as well as operations.
Bowden believes the quality of his baked goods is what will set Red Velvet apart from competitors. He also wants to ensure his customers are satisfied. Excited about this new endeavor, he is ready to fulfill a need and knows that as long as Red Velvet Bakery provides superior quality and exceptional service, it will be successful.
Q: Why did you choose this name?
A: Our main focus is cakes and red velvet is a Southern style. I wanted to give a Southern connotation.
Q: Prices?
A: Cakes start at $30.
Q: Discounts/specials?
A: Not yet, I wanted slow opening. A grand opening may be held in the next month or so.
Q: Is advanced notice needed for orders?
A: Yes, at least 24-48 hours is preferred for catering and special orders. We try to have several cakes on hand, but it is best to call in advance for custom cakes.
Q: How is business?
A: We have been busy, but not overwhelmed.
Q: Most popular items?
A: Speaking sheer volume, our cinnamon rolls, but customers favorites seem to be the red velvet and chocolate cakes.
Q: Any other special options?
A: We can do sugar-free cakes on special order for diabetics.
Q: What are your expectations?
A: Just to fulfill a need for a made-from-scratch bakery. We plan to soon offer coke products and eventually offer light lunches like roast beef sandwiches and chicken and dumplings.
Q: What should people know?
A: We are trying to not get too far ahead of ourselves, so we need customers to be patient with us as we become even better. We hope to increase our selection as it becomes possible. Everything is made fresh, from scratch on our premises every day.
Red Velvet Bakery
Owner: Charlie Bowden
Phone: (229) 247-4600
Location: 1900 E. Gornto Road
Hours: 7:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Business
Related Photos
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Donna Reed puts the finishing touches on a five-tier wedding cake at Red Velvet Bakery on Gornto Road.
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