|
It comes as no surprise that it wasn’t long before people
started asking where they could buy her mouth-watering
treats.
While her children were in school she started a charitable
baking ministry at her church and became a licensed kitchen
from the Department of Agriculture shortly thereafter. The
rest, as they say, is history!
“I realized what began as a simple passion for baking, was
turning into something pretty sweet,” states Stewart.
Operating then as a one-woman show, Stewart realized her
business would not grow if she continued working out of her
tiny kitchen and old built-in oven. She started inquiring
on places where she could bake. “I felt like a pregnant
woman about to give birth,” she recalls.
One afternoon, away from the hustle and bustle of the
Huntington and Seagate Centers, she found a home for her
budding business just a few blocks up town.
“I noticed ProMedica coming downtown and starting to shake
things up in a good way and I found a hidden gem of a
location as fate would have it.”
Jera’s Heavenly Sweet is now a full service bakery
overlooking the serene fountains of Promenade Park. The park
and its surrounding buildings were beautifully renovated by
ProMedica, now headquartered in the historical Toledo Edison
steam plant building.
Located waterside in downtown Toledo, grassy Promenade Park,
will always be a community favorite. This gathering place
provides benches, paths and a pavilion featuring community
events and concerts.
Jera’s bakery opened its sweet smelling doors in 2017. “We
will be celebrating our two year anniversary this year, June
17. Time sure does fly when you’re having fun,” says
Stewart.
You will find delicious fun
with a variety of unique goodies at Jera’s bakeshop. Her
extraordinary recipes retain a magical quality that leave
the tongue screaming with delight and whimpering for more!
“My favorite cake is our chocolate mousse cake,” she says.
“It has four or five layers of chocolate mousse whipped to
an airy perfection.”
When asked what she loves the most about what she does
Stewart says, “I love when people stop in to see us while
visiting the waterside. Many come for the baked goods of
course, but more importantly, they love that we still look
them in the eye while going above and beyond with our
service.”
Located between the Renaissance Hotel and the Fifth Third
Building, stop in for specialty pastries, cookies and cakes
for any occasion. If you find yourself in a rush don’t curb
your cravings, as they also offer free 15 minute valet for
those in a hurry!
“Come down the escalators in the Fifth Third building and
you’ll see me on the right!”
Stewart also offers advice to other budding entrepreneurs,
stating, “Make sure to have a strong support system. As you
scale your business make sure you have systems in place and
be open to answering the hard questions. Your business will
be better for it.”
Steart encourages other business owners to, “Never quit your
daydream. It has always been my dream to serve my community.
I’m so grateful I get to cross cultural and racial barriers
because people just like sweets.”
She extends a special thank you to her mentors Erik Johnson
of The Ivy Entrepreneur Institute and Bill Worsel with the
Chamber of Commerce. “We are
also so thankful to have had the opportunity to donate
delicious cupcakes and cookies for ZOO To DO’s Charitable
Party with a Purpose.”
Jera and her husband Bill Stewart – a financial
representative at Western & Southern Insurance Company;
former production manager at WTOL and former special
assistant to the mayor of Toledo – live in Toledo with their
four children: Christian, Jerica, Cameron and Brianna.
Stewart expresses her undying gratitude to her husband,
children and their Church of God family for all of their
support over the years.
“My
husband and family are still my biggest supporters. I
remember everyone helping me bag and label cookies until 3
a.m. in our sweet little kitchen on numerous occasions. I’m
truly blessed.”
In response to increased demand, Heavenly Sweet is
considering opening a second location for their growing
clientele.
“We truly appreciate our regular downtown clientele. So
many come from the courthouse and sheriff's department that
we now consider family. I love meeting people from all walks
of life while they tell me their stories over the counter.”
Stewart is currently looking for someone who has a true
passion for baking to join her close knit team as they grow.
You can order online through their delicious looking
website at jheavenlysweet.com and they encourage the
community to follow them on Facebook and Instagram for tasty
updates.
Stewart’s story is warm and sprinkled with flour and sugar.
Meeting the woman behind the scene was a delicious treat!
Let Jera’s Heavenly Sweet help give your special occasion
some extra indulgence. Her desserts are a harmonious
marriage of decadent flavors, sure to make you smile - a
true match made in Heaven!
|
