Sweet Dreams Bakery Opens in Lenox Offering More than Just Pastries
LENOX, Mass. — Sweet Dreams bakery has plans that go beyond just pastries.
November through April, it will serve up fresh baked goods and coffee. From May to October, it will offer homemade ice cream and pick-your-own candy.
The mastermind behind the seasonal business model is Pittsfield native Cheryl Murray, a self-taught baker who began as a hobby about a decade ago.
She prioritizes using quality ingredients and providing a cozy atmosphere for customers to enjoy her product.
"My intention in doing this is when people walk in, they feel like they're walking into grandma's kitchen," Murray said.
For her, it is all about the ingredients. Everything is made from scratch using products like Cabot butter, King Arthur flour, and locally sourced items whenever possible.
Sweet Dreams’ bakery menu includes sweet and savory options. Scones, muffins, cookies, and cakes are available as well as a galette and quiche of the day.
The most popular item so far? Cinna-buns.
"I can't keep them in the house," Murray said. "We just keep making them and making them."
A lot of work goes into making the cinna-buns, which warranted a note under their listing on the menu that reads "when available."
"You make the dough, it has to rise, and then you have to roll it out, create the cinna-buns, put them in a pan, it has to rise again, then you can bake them," Murray explained. "So it's not like cookies, I can make the dough and then just kind of put the dough in, the crust on everything I'm doing, it's all from scratch."
She opened the first week of February on Church Street, in the space that formerly housed The Scoop. The building is owned by Ryan Salame, a 28-year-old CEO who has made his earnings in cryptocurrency and has recently invested in a number of other Lenox eateries.
Sweet Dreams has received a great amount of support from the community during its opening week, even selling out of everything at one point.
Murray wanted to operate a bakery in the venue because it hadn't previously been used in the winter. During the summer, frozen treats will be served through window service with a sitting area outside.
Her shop expands into the former clothing retailer Twigs, which is where a retro-themed candy store will be set up.
Former owner of The Scoop Jennifer Nacht —who is also the executive director of the Lenox Chamber of Commerce — has passed down her ice cream shop's 35-plus year-old recipes that were created by the previous ice cream shop owner’s mother, Bev.
With a bit of her own twist, Murray will carry on the long-held ice cream tradition.
Sweet Dreams' winter hours are Thursday through Sunday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is located at 51 Church St. For more information, visit sweetdreamslenox.com.
Tags: new business, bakery,
