Cat’s Cakes Goes Brick & Mortar on West Shore Road

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WARWICK, RI — In a few weeks, Catia Torres celebrates a year since she started working to open a storefront for her bakery business, commemorated with an April 12 ribbon cutting for Cat’s Cakes at 2424 West Shore Road.

“I started my Facebook page in 2021 for my custom cakes and such for my friends and family,” Torres said. Now, almost a year after she started working toward the goal May 26, 2023, her birthday, she’s got a brick and mortar space and a website.

“We’re passionate about creating delicious cakes, cupcakes and treats,” the bakery and cafe’s website attests. “We strive to produce homemade baked goods, provide exceptional service and spread positivity.”

Torres opened the shop Jan. 13, and Mayor Frank Picozzi  was on hand to help with her ribbon cutting Friday, April 12 to celebrate the new space.

“Please help me welcome Cat’s Cakes and Cafe to 2424 West Shore Road. Check out their delicious menu of assorted cupcakes and more!” said Mayor Frank Picozzi on his Facebook page.

Items sold at the space include dipped chocolate treats, including Oreos, Pretzels and Rice Crispies ; Cake Pops and Cakesicles and custom sugar cookies. Torres recommends the very popular Elvis cupcake, a banana-flavored cupcake with peanut butter frosting and peanut butter drizzle.

“Can’t get enough peanut butter,” Torres said.

Realizing a necessary transition

While she was making cakes and treats for friends and family, something she’d been doing since she was 16, Torres was also working as kitchen director for a nursing home. After about 14 years there, she started to realize the security didn’t seem to outweigh the downsides. Those downsides included filling in for people calling out, a lack of flexibility and continuing staffing shortages.

“It just did not fit my family’s needs,” Torres said. That realization coincided with a call to pursue baking as a full-time business.

“I said, ‘You know what? It’s now or never, let’s see how this goes.”

How it’s gone, she said, is a steady first few months of business, with a little lull, ahead of what she expects will be a jump in business as the weather continues to improve.

“It’s acutally picking up now that the weather’s getting nicer,” Torres said.

Cat’s Cakes and Cafe, 2424 West Shore Road, is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  and Sundays 9 a.m. till 3 p.m. You can call them at (401) 384-7345.