Chestnut Deli’s Sweet Side Business Going Strong

The largest order yet came last January: 4,200 cakepops for an event at Valley Hospital. Chestnut Deli owner Luana Woods recruited staff from neighboring restaurants to form an assembly line to hand roll and decorate each one.

It’s a labor of love for Woods, who handcrafts the intricate, custom designs of Cakepops for You, a side business she started on top of the deli she owns with her husband, Billy.

“It takes a long time, but I really enjoy it," said Woods, who calls herself a "perfectionist" at the craft, often done at night after long hours at the deli.

Occasionally there are a few pops on the counter of the deli, a Ridgewood establishment known for its personal touch, but Woods says the bulk of the cakepop business is done for special orders so the product is always unique and fresh.

The business within a business began four years ago, when there was much buzz around cakepops. But while the novelty may have dissipated, the appeal hasn't, Woods says.

"It's just a small bite," she said. "You don't feel guilty eating it."

Her designs can be intricate, based on the wishes of the customer. The cakepops have taken the shape of animals, flowers and seasonal icons for birthday parties and holiday events.

Woods has even managed to arrange them in the shape of a wedding cake, with a rotund bride and groom sitting atop the pops.

The customizable pops can be ordered in quantities as small as a dozen, for $2-5 each, depending on the intricacy of the designs.

For more information and galleries of some notable past designs, stop into Chestnut Deli or visit the Cakepops for You website.