Business & Tech
Grove Pastry Shop Keeps Lemon Grove Sweet
The famous Whip Cream Cake is only one of the treats that has helped make the bakery the "Best Small Business of 2010."
Even pastry has trends.
In the 1950s and '60s, Whip Cream Cake was all the rage at the Grove Pastry Shop, notes Luis Montero, manager of the bakery next to the city's giant lemon statue.
But today, gourmet flavors like Tiramisu, White Chocolate Raspberry Mousse and Strawberry Succulence are the preferred flavors for wedding cakes at the pastry shop, says the manager, who oversees the shop's 19 employees.
Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.
Montero should know. He has managed the 67-year-old Grove Pastry Shop for three years and is an award-winning cake designer. Still, the shop's famous Whip Cream Cake is a favorite with patrons and employees alike.
"I like the freshness of our products. And I think our customers like that, too," said 17-year-old Grove Pastry cake designer Serena Dominguez, who favors the Whip Cream Cake, made of sponge cake, custard, a layer of raspberry preserves, Bavarian cream and icing of whipped cream.
Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.
"Our famous Whip Cream Cake continues to bring generation after generation back to our cozy, friendly bakery," Montero said.
That's what keeps Jim Comeau of Spring Valley coming back to Grove Pastry at least twice a month. "And the prices are the best," he added.
The pastry shop features every baked good one can think of: cookies, cakes, cupcakes, tarts, pie, strudel, Danish and bear claws. In addition to the gourmet flavors, cakes come in traditional tastes like lemon, carrot, and German chocolate.
Caroline Ortega of El Cajon ordered a marble cake with fresh strawberries, butter cream and Bavarian cream frosting for her daughter's fourth birthday.
"I read about Grove Pastry Shop online," said the mom, who was making her first visit to the bakery. "It was ranked as one of the best bakeries in Southern California."
The Chamber of Commerce of San Diego and East County named the shop the Best Small Business of 2010. And The Knot selected Grove Pastry Shop as a 2010 "Best Pick" for weddings.
The Grove Pastry Shop is located at 3308 Main St. Hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday-Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.
