Winchendon's Ikiaremy Sweets is so much more than a bakery: But try the sweets too

The summer just got little bit sweeter in Toy Town.

Since opening at 314 Central St. in Winchendon last month, the Ikiaremy Sweets Bakery has built up a loyal customer base with its custom cakes, cupcakes, and various other treats.

Owner Ilia Llubethsy Diaz Carrion, a talented cake designer who has been baking for over 30 years, said it was her dream to finally have a shop of her own. She said she started baking as a teenager growing up in Puerto Rico.

“I loved baking and cooking and everything,” she said. After her daughter was diagnosed with hypertension, Carrion said she began cooking food with her dietary restrictions in mind. “I basically began baking for her, so it just became my passion.”

The cake menu includes flavors such as almond, vanilla butter, red velvet, banana, marble, lemon raspberry, apple spice, and chocolate peanut butter. And there’s the list of fillings, which include caramel, guava, apple, pineapple, lemon, and vanilla Bavarian.

Central Street bakery has become popular since opening in May

Her bakery has become a popular location since it opened on May 22, according to Carrion.

“The town has been so supportive, and it’s amazing how much we’ve been accepted,” she said. “Many people here know me already, however.”

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Carrion said that there was clearly a need for a bakery such as hers in the community.

“We have four pizza places – we used to have five – we have McDonald’s, we have Chinese, so it’s clear that people want some kind of variety of food,” she said.

When it came time to pick a name for her business, Carrion decided to combine the names of her daughter, Ikiara, and son, Jeremy, to create a unique name.

Although her family members sometimes help out at the shop, Carrion said she officially has one part-time employee, Migelina Adames-Cullo.

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Ikiaremy Sweets offers breakfast, lunch and dinner

Open every day except for Monday, the store also features a breakfast, lunch and dinner menu that includes dishes such as roasted chicken and rice, barbecue ribs, pulled pork and sandwiches.

“We are excited to welcome Ikiaremy Sweets to Central Street,” said Town Manager Bill McKinney. “It is great to see new businesses opening up in town, especially taking over vacant storefronts. (Ilia) has developed quite a following in town already with her cakes and cupcakes, and those who've gotten food there since the opening have positive reviews.”

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Ikiaremy Sweets is open Tuesday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Ikiaremy Sweets Bakery now in Winchendon, with breakfast, lunch, dinner