Queen of Tarts bakery celebrated the grand opening of its new DuBois location on January 13th, drawing a line of eager patrons out the door. Founded by DuBois native Lauren Johnson, the bakery began as a pandemic hobby, eventually evolving into a storefront in downtown DuBois.
Originally operating as a pick-up bakery on West Park Avenue, the new location at 8 East Long Avenue in the old Deposit Bank building offers increased visibility, foot traffic, seating for fourteen people, extended hours, and an expanded menu. The bakery now employs four staff members, providing both its core items and seasonal specialties.
The interior, designed with an "industrial, boho" theme, features exposed brick, pops of pink, unique light fixtures, and greenery decor, creating a welcoming and cozy atmosphere. A designated display wall showcases exclusive merchandise from local artisans and small businesses.
Inspired by her travels, Johnson incorporates elements from favorite places like Levain Bakery in NYC, Paris, and Florence, Italy, into Queen of Tarts. Despite cold weather on opening day, the community turnout was remarkable, with customers enjoying the colorful balloons and the enticing aroma of freshly baked goods.
The grand opening marked a significant moment for Johnson, who expressed gratitude for the overwhelming community support. The bakery aims to be a creative space where customers can enjoy treats, collaborate on projects, and participate in events. Johnson plans to continue community engagement, hosting fundraisers and pop-up events for local businesses and artisans.
When asked to share her thoughts about the transition, Johnson offered, "It's been incredibly rewarding seeing people coming in to utilize the space. I’ve seen friends catching up over Italian hot chocolate, small business owners and creatives getting work done on laptops, and customers coming over straight from the public library to hunker down with a good book and a warm cookie. Queen of Tarts has always been about more than just baked goods; it’s about community and creating a space for people to indulge and escape the daily grind for a moment."
Queen of Tarts operates Wednesday through Friday from 8:AM to 5:PM and Saturdays from 8:AM to 2:PM. For more information, visit the bakery's website: https://www.queenoftartsbakery.com/ and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/queenoftartsdubois.