Donuts, pastries and pies: two sisters, Trinise Proster and Antoinette Bradford, are slowly building a sweet dream one step at a time on the corner of Elysian Fields and Filmore.
Lawrence Bakery “Mr. Wedding Cake” and Gambino’s once used this 2,000-space-foot space, but on Oct. 2, Heavenly Sweets Bakery became this Gentilly neighborhood’s bakery.
“Everything we’ve done, we’ve done out of pocket,” says Proster. “It’s been slow but we wanted to open and get things going. We are still waiting for our sign, website, a deep fryer and some stools, but we’ve been very fortunate to already have a steady stream of regular clients. This is our passion. We just want to see the smile on our customer’s face and our motto is: This is a pastry to live for.”
The pastry duo also have a strong faith and the business has a biblical saying at its core, Isaiah 43:19 “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
“God is our rock and strength,” she says.
Proster and Bradford are hoping to be the place event and wedding planners go to for that special cake. They also plan to soon add candy and sweets to their menu.
“We want to sell candy by the pound like the old stores used to,” Proster says.
Currently, Heavenly Sweets Bakery’s best sellers are its old-fashioned cinnamon rolls and candy apples.
“What makes us stand out are our flavors,” says Proster. “My sister’s been developing them throughout her 40 years of professional baking.”
The sisters get up at 4 a.m. to make sure all their goods are freshly baked.
“Once we get our new fryer, we’ll have to get up at 3 a.m. to bake apple fritters,” Proster says.
The bakery will have a grand opening on December 8 that will feature baked treats and wedding cake cocktails.
“We’re also doing a praline cocktail because I’m known for my pralines,” says Proster.
They are already taking orders for Thanksgiving cakes and pies and will offer a 15 percent discount if ordered by next Tuesday.
“Also, look for our Sweet Potato King Cake,” Proster says. “Get one to celebrate our Saints because our Saints are winning.”
Heavenly Sweets
5242 Elysian Fields
(504) 592-7501
