Toni Allen providing Lavish Treats for the community
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – If you are looking for a delicious, delectable dish to satisfy your sweet tooth, then, The Lavish Treats Boutique has what you need.
Owner Toni Allen, winner of the 2024 CSRA Small Business Award for Baker Of The Year, sits down with WJBF to discuss her love for all things lavish; plus, she shares her signature treats: red velvet cake, pound cake, and chocolate chip cookies.
Thank you, Toni, for joining us here on Celebrating Black Excellence. So, how did you get started with creating treats?
Well, a couple of years ago, we were in the pandemic, and it was my son’s birthday. I decided to make a birthday cake. I said, “Hey, you know what? I can do that.” So, I made the cake, and I posted it to Facebook. Everybody just loved it, and they wanted to order cakes from me. So, it just kind of pivoted from there.
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Is there a meaning behind the name, The Lavish Treats Boutique?
When I started doing the cakes, I also started doing treats like strawberries, things of that nature. I really jazzed them up. I would even get my sprinkles from the UK, so it was lavish. So for me, the name had to fit the ticket.
Where are you located so that people can know how to get to you?
This is the Augusta Centre Indoor Flea Market. It’s 1507 North Leg Road. We are next to Oak nightclub and right across the street from Lifesaver.
What made you choose this particular location to house your business?
Well, it was easy and convenient for the community. Also, the overhead here is very low. So, with me having a lower overhead, it’s easier for me to pass that saving off to my customers.
You also have a truck as well. So, how does that equate with your business?
Well, I use my truck to do vendor pop ups all around the city, and I get invited to other invites to do those pop ups as well. So, it’s convenient, and it’s my business on the go.
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What type of treats do you serve?
Well, we do cookies, cakes, cupcakes, cheesecakes, and red velvet cake – being one of my signature dishes.
What is your favorite thing to create?
My favorite thing to create is a pound cake. It’s endless with pound cakes.
What makes your pound cake so endless and so special?
Well, for me, a pound cake is old school, but I put a new school twist on it. Instead of it being a heavy, dense cake, I make it where it’s light, fluffy, and kind of melts in your mouth.
How has the reception been for you with the community and with your business?
Oh, it’s been amazing. My customers are amazing. They come, and they sell out every weekend.
So, you have a day called Cake Day Saturday, in which your sister and your daughter help you with that. Can you tell us more about Cake Day Saturday?
Cake Day Saturday was actually named by one of my customers, Tarean. She said, “Hey, are you having cake today? It’s Cake Day Saturday.” I was like, “You know what? I want to keep it.” So, now everyone looks forward to Cake Day Saturday.
What is your most popular treat now? What do people want the most?
My signature is my red velvet cake. Yeah, they want that. (Laughs)
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You are also known as the Cake Lady. How did you get that nickname?
You know, one day I was in the parking lot coming in here, and somebody said, “Hey, that’s the cake lady!” So, it just kind of took off from there.
If people want to know more information about you or they want to get some of your treats, how can they get that information?
They can contact me at sales@lavishtreatsboutique.com, or they can reach me on my Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok at @TheLavishTreatsBoutique.
For more information, visit the Lavish Treats Boutique website.
Videography by Gary Nipple
Music Produced by Danny Ray Smith, Jr.
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