Ovenly Greenpoint

I rarely leave reviews, but I felt I had to share my experience today 3-3:30PM. I came to pick up a birthday cake I had ordered three weeks in advance for someone very special to me. I chose this bakery because of its great reputation for healthy, gluten-free cakes—and I was genuinely looking forward to trying it. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed with the service I received. When I walked in, I greeted the staff warmly with a smile and a “hello.” The woman behind the counter asked for my pickup name, and I gave it—adding that it was for a cake I had pre-ordered. She immediately cut me off and said, “I only asked for your name,” with a smirk, as if I had said something wrong. It felt unnecessarily rude, but I chose to stay polite and move on. What really upset me was what happened next. As she was handing me the cake, it suddenly tilted heavily to one side and nearly slipped out of the box. I had to catch it quickly with my own hands to keep it from toppling over completely. Despite this, she didn’t apologize or check to see if the cake was okay. She simply said, “Don’t worry, it’s fine,” and handed it over as if nothing had happened. Because of the tilt, the glitter decoration—which I had paid extra for—ended up smudged all over the clear part of the cake box. Because I was leaving for the out of town right after, I didn’t have time to request a replacement—but I left the store feeling very upset and disappointed. I also politely asked if they had a plastic knife I could use to cut the cake, and again, her response was dismissive and mocking. She laughed and said, “I’ve never heard of that,” as if it were a ridiculous question. I completely understand if they don’t provide plastic knives—but there’s a respectful way to say that without belittling the customer or comparing other bakeries in a sarcastic tone. And just to clarify, many bakeries do offer plastic knives for convenience—so it wasn’t an unreasonable question at all. I don’t know what kind of day she was having or why she felt the need to treat a customer this way—but for someone picking up a cake for a special occasion, it left a really bitter impression. This one interaction had the power to ruin what should’ve been a joyful and meaningful moment. For a place with such a strong reputation, I hope the management considers the impact staff attitude can have on a customer’s experience. No matter how good the product may be, the service still matters.

Lovely location and service. And coffee. But how about just one NON vegan NON gluten free cookie option!?