| Sarah Heinonen
sheinonen@thereminder.com
Category:
EAST LONGMEADOW – For 10 years, Peter Gray has been making East Longmeadow a little sweeter.
Gray, the owner and namesake of Pete’s Sweets, 32 Shaker Rd., East Longmeadow, began his business with an idea. Gray said he wanted to have customers order their wedding cakes with him, and then come back for their baby shower sweets and for their child’s first birthday. “The longer we’re in business, the more it’s coming true,” Gray said. “We’ve got an ever-expanding clientele.”
In the beginning, Gray’s selection was limited to cupcakes and candies. Now, the business sells cupcakes, chocolates and baked goods, such as brownies, cookies and pies. Pete’s Sweets also makes wedding cakes and custom cakes, in addition to the classic cakes available.
Over the past 10 years, Gray has expanded more than the products he sells. “Even the bakery itself, we’ve knocked down walls and taken over part of the building next door,” Gray said of the two expansions the business has undergone.
“It hasn’t always been the easiest, but it’s been amazing,” he said. “It’s been a wild ride.”
Pete’s Sweets has become more than a bakery. Gray offers baking classes and a recipe series called, “In the Kitchen with Pete.” The business hosts a cookies and milk event with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus and makes cakes for Bright Nights and the Big E. Gray has also appeared on baking television shows twice.
Looking toward the future, Gray said, “I’d like to start expanding to ship things afar.” However, he does not see a second location in the cards. “I feel like me and my staff are what makes [the products] special.” He also plans to maintain his location in East Longmeadow. “I was born and raised here. I have no plans to go anywhere. I love working with other [local] vendors and businesses,” Gray said.
Another thing Gray does not expect is to slow down. “We’ll be a part of people’s celebrations for as long as they’ll have us,” he said. “We’re always hungry for more.”