Cake connoisseur calls it quits
Cape Breton Cake Decorators Specialties closing up shop
Cape Breton Cake Decorators Specialties in Sydney is closing up shop.
After 24 years in business, owner Frances Alteen has decided to end her tenure as a cake connoisseur after a long and successful career.
Although business has slowed down in the past few years, Alteen is leaving the industry because she is reaching retirement age and wants to see the world as well as her family, who live in a wide variety of places in Canada.
“I’m now at the age of retirement. It’s time that my husband and I travel a bit and go visit our children more,” said Alteen, who went on to say that leaving her business will be bittersweet.
“It’s going to be sad (to retire), for sure. I certainly
enjoyed my job — I have never had a day that I never felt like coming in to work. I met a lot of wonderful customers over the years that became
friends,” she said, adding that she has also been passionate about the work she’s done since she started her business in 1994.
“I enjoyed the business and cake decorating and showing people how to do it, but it really will be difficult to leave, in a way, but I’m ready to look towards the future now.”
Alteen may be hanging up her apron, but she is still interested in perspective buyers to take over her shop and maintain the business she has cultivated for more than two decades.
“A few times I’ve had different people in asking and inquiring (to purchase the store) and I’m still getting the requests. I’m kind of hopeful that will happen,” said Alteen. “I would prefer the business to continue, but who knows?”
Cape Breton Cake Decorators Specialties does not have an exact date that it is scheduled to close, but Alteen said closure will come in the coming months.