Serving Up Sweets at Lola &Giuseppe’s New Bakery

Steve Fancelli and his family had always dreamed of owning a restaurant. Now, six years after purchasing Lola & Giuseppe’s Trattoria, their business has expanded, with the opening of Lola & Giuseppe’s Bakery.

“The vision we have and what we’ll eventually grow in to is kind of like what you would find in a New York bakery, a Little Italy bakery in Cleveland, New York or Chicago,” said Fancelli. “All of these places that have little Italian bakeries, that’s what we’ll end up being.”

The bakery opened in March and, like the restaurant, it too is owned by Fancelli, his wife Elaine, and their two sons Anthony and Nick. It is located two doors down from their restaurant at 104 Granville Street, and when asked what inspired the family to open it, Fancelli’s answer is clear.

“Judy’s desserts,” he said.

Judy Slattery was a server at Lola & Giuseppe’s Trattoria and became the Head Baker when the Fancelli family purchased the restaurant, creating desserts for the past six years. Her legendary cannoli and tiramisu are now available at the bakery, along with cookies and a variety of cakes that are mostly sold by the slice, but can also be sold whole for special orders. Customers also may find whole cakes for sale in the case, made with the delicious precision of Slattery and her team.

“She’s amazing, and she’s built quite a reputation for us and our desserts,” Fancelli explained.

Slattery is flattered that the Fancelli’s opened the bakery because of how much customers love her desserts.

“There are times that I just find it hard to believe – not that I don’t have faith in myself, but baking is something that I’ve always loved to do,” she said. “To actually be here and have people come in and say ‘oh my gosh, your cheesecakes, your cakes’ – it’s wonderful. I never thought I would have a bakery, so this is the next best thing, and I get paid to do what I love to do, which is baking.”

The bakery is still in its infancy, but as Fancelli explained, it is growing with new and different items each week. Even the look inside will change over time. However, one thing that Fancelli feels confident will never change is the support he has seen from the community, since investing and growing in Gahanna.

“I can’t begin to tell you how warm the community is to us and to small businesses in general,” he said. “Gahanna is just that place. If you don’t live here, you may not see it all the same, but the community support is truly felt and people love it. People love supporting small businesses.”