Carlo's Bakery to Celebrate Grand Opening Sunday

After it was announced in February that Buddy Valastro, star of TLC's 'Cake Boss,' would set up shop at 21 East Broad St. in Westfield, the wait is nearly over. 

Cake and cannoli connoissuers as well as fans of the show can catch of glimpse of the celebrity baker and his family as they celebrate the store's ribbon cutting at 11 a.m. with Westfield Mayor Andy Skibitsky and members of the Greater Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Westfield Corporation.

Patch recently had a chance to ask Valastro, whose flagship Hoboken shop has crowds queuing up for hours, a few questions about his soon-to-open outpost:

What made you choose Westfield as the location for your newest bakery? Westfield is a great family town and that’s what Carlo’s Bakery is all about. A place where families can spend time together you know, enjoy a cupcake after dinner.

I understand the Westfield store will feature a Custom Cake Bar. Can you share what that will look like for customers? 
I’m very excited to bring the Cake Bar to Westfield. We’ll have available cake flavors, fillings and decoration options and you’ll be able to pick your favorites from start to finish. This way, customers get involved in their own cake design. It makes the whole experience more personal. I’m looking forward to seeing what crazy combinations come out of the Cake Bar. 

How frequently can Westfielders expect to see you in the neighborhood? Will you do any filming at this location? 
I’ll definitely be around a lot in the beginning to make sure everything is running smoothly. I’ve always had a hands-on approach! It’s important to me to get to know the Westfield community, so I’ll be around as much as I can. We’ve had such a great response so far, I’m excited for the bakery become a part of the town.

Obviously you're a celebrity but do you have any qualms about going up against Westfield's famous hometown bakery, Bovella's? Is Westfield big enough for both of you?  
You know, I think it is! We’re not out to take over, everybody has their neighborhood favorites. We’re just excited to reach our Carlo’s Bakery fans in Westfield.

Thanks to Adam Bourcier for facilitating this interview.