Reeves Cake Shop: A Sweet Farewell After Half a Century

The final chapter of Reeves Cake Shop begins this December, ending 50 years of baking that started in 1976. The family bakery, long a local favorite, will close when the children of founder Dolores Reeves reach retirement age. Dolores, 93, began her culinary journey at the tender age of twelve in a family kitchen that later became a neighborhood bakery. She and her late husband, Robert Reeves, opened the shop on East Avenue before moving it to 2770 Cory Ave in 1989. The business has baked more than 10, 000 wedding cakes, keeping a log of every order to remember the celebrations it has served. The shop’s recipes were inherited from her parents, who ran a bakery in Kenmore for decades before it was renamed. Rick Reeves, the current manager and baker, emphasizes that every item is made from scratch—sugar, flour, eggs, and no shortcuts. The shop adapts recipes for allergies, vegan, and gluten‑free needs, offering a wide range of flavors from classic chocolate to gourmet creations like hummingbird and Death By Chocolate.Employees include Dolores, who spends at least five hours a day decorating cakes, and Terry Walquist, the office manager. The team swells during holidays, with many volunteers who love the bakery’s atmosphere. Without a successor in line, the family decided to close on Christmas Eve, with orders accepted until December 17. Some customers have expressed sadness and pleaded for the shop to stay open, but the decision remains firm. Customers can still place orders through December; the bakery operates Tuesday‑Friday 10 a. m. –5 p. m. and Saturday 10 a. m. –3 p. m. , remaining closed on Sundays and Mondays. Dolores has expressed that she may bake a chocolate cake occasionally, but the shop’s doors will remain shut after this season.