Shining a light on Goldenrod Pastries
Highlighting businesswomen on International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day falls on March 8 and provides an opportunity to intentionally celebrate the achievements of women in our community. This description reads wonderfully on paper, but what does celebrating International Women’s Day look like practically? How could a student, busy with classes, homework, projects and work, set aside time to make March 8 different from any other day? One way is to support local female-owned businesses. One of my favorites is Goldenrod Pastries.
Back in 2013, Angela Garbacz started a blog to chronicle her exploration of dairy-free baking. She hoped that her stories and recipes could help others who were struggling to come up with dietary alternatives. Classically trained in the French pastry tradition, Garbacz took on the challenge of replacing classic ingredients with worthy substitutes. By 2014, the Goldenrod blog had a sizable following. Even while working a full time international marketing job for a biotechnology company, Garbacz began baking up a storm to fill the orders that flooded her media platforms. In January of 2015, the Goldenrod dream took physical form at the corner of Prescott Avenue and 48th Street.
The cozy bakery offers a light, airy atmosphere, colorful decor and swoon worthy aroma. Its emphasis holds true to Garbacz’s original goal: providing others with diet-inclusive dessert options. The belief at Goldenrod is that everyone should have access to wedding cakes, birthday treats, or even just a midday pick-me-up, regardless of nutritional needs. But don’t let this emphasis turn you off. Each delicacy brings delicious flavor, comparable — if not superior — to options with more typical ingredients. And let’s not forget creative expression. Immediately upon crossing the threshold, one’s eye is captured and drawn immediately to a glass display case, bursting with bright colors and abstract shapes. Each individual treat highlights the creative genius and inventive attention to detail of its baker. There’s no need to take this author’s word for it. Goldenrod has garnered national praise for its inclusive ingredients and culinary prowess by publications like Martha Stewart Living, Food & Wine, Cherry Bombe, and Forbes.
Just a quick stroll from your dorm room, Goldenrod brings the convenience factor for Union Students. It’s the perfect way to fill that hour break between classes or the perfect stop on your way to study at the Mill. There’s no need to feel overwhelmed at the prospect of paying homage to women of the world while juggling school and work. Advances towards equality can be celebrated by banners, megaphones and marches down the street, but also with something as simple as a frosted slice of cake.
By: Sidney Needles