Crisis is an opportunity: How quarantine saved a small pastry shop

(Patria) – While small and large businesses across America are desperately trying to survive the current general lockdown caused by the coronavirus, one pastry shop has avoided permanent closure and is even experiencing growth thanks to a good idea from its creative owner.

The pastry shop 'Butter&', owned by Amanda Nguyen in San Francisco, usually creates, bakes, and delivers cakes for weddings, birthdays, and similar events. Now it exclusively makes - 'quarantine cakes'.

Small cakes for one or two people cost $50 and come with the messages 'wash your hands' and 'don't touch your face'. Chocolate, strawberry, and salted caramel flavors are the most popular.

The owner of the pastry shop, which has only been operating for five years, was preparing to permanently close her small business after exhausting her one-month reserve.

Then she wrote a key sentence on Instagram – 'the only way to survive is to create new value for your clients, for the current moment'. And that current moment is the pandemic.

'Pretend you're an introvert' with pistachio flavor

Amanda says people are buying her cakes to send to each other, even if they can't eat them together. 'In times of social isolation and fear, human connection, gestures of love, and comfort food will help us,' claims this young and creative woman.

Popular quarantine cakes 'Wash your hands' and 'Don't touch your face'

She launched the first quarantine cakes on Sunday, and just a day later, Butter& pastry shop was celebrating its most successful day since it opened its doors five years ago.

Amanda encourages other bakers and pastry shops to create their own unique version of quarantine cakes to keep their businesses afloat.