Gluten-free bakery in Ridgefield has Grand Opening February 7

There is good news for people in northern Fairfield County and northern Westchester County who have eliminated or reduced the gluten in their diet:  A gluten-free bakery has opened in Ridgefield, CT. 

A Grand Opening celebration will take place at Swoon, located at 109 Danbury Road (Copp’s Hill Marketplace) on Thursday, February 7 with free samples all day, from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.  Swoon is owned by The Cake Box owners, Robert Byrnes and Jordan Gregory. The Cake Box is a cake and cupcake bakery in Ridgefield, known for its variety of gourmet cupcake flavors and custom cakes.

Subscribe

 Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley and a wide variety of people in the U.S. try to eat little or no gluten at all.  According to the Los Angeles Times, the market for food products without gluten has grown at an annual compound rate of 28% since 2008 and is expected to exceed $6.6 billion by 2017.

“We decided to open a gluten-free bakery when The Cake Box outgrew our Copp’s Hill Marketplace location because we have been making gluten-free treats for customers that requested them,” said Jordan Gregory, co-owner of Swoon and The Cake Box. “Now that we have a dedicated gluten-free location, we can offer our customers the highest guarantee of no cross-contamination with other ingredients that may be problematic for them.  Which means they can relax and enjoy a cupcake like everyone else!”

The bakers at Swoon are still interested in hearing what customers want.  “Our relationship with our customers is very special.  We always have samples for people to try when they come in and we want their feedback,” Gregory said.  “Because we bake everything ourselves on premises, we can experiment and be very responsive.”

But some things are consistent day to day at Swoon – such as the selection of mouthwatering gluten-free cupcakes in flavors such as Red Velvet, Sweet & Salty Caramel, Double Chocolate and Lemon Drop.  “Many people tell us that they don’t care about gluten-free – they just like our cupcakes,” Gregory said with a laugh.

In addition to gluten-free selections, Swoon also makes several vegan and diary-free baked goods such as chocolate Bundt cakes, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate cupcakes and banana tea cake.  The menu of vegan and dairy-free items will grow as demand increases.  Additionally, no nut products are used at Swoon, which is beneficial for many people.

Swoon also makes layer cakes by special order.  According to Gregory, “Many people with celiac disease or gluten-sensitivity have had to do all their own baking for years.  The joy they get from being able to buy a bakery birthday cake that they can fully enjoy is incredible.”

Going “G-free” is a necessity for some people and a choice for others. According to the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, some 18 million Americans have a sensitivity to gluten.  Another three million Americans suffer from celiac disease, an autoimmune digestive disease triggered by the consumption of gluten that can lead to malnourishment and cause other health issues.  (Experts estimate that 95% of those suffering from celiac don’t know that they have the disease.)  People with a wheat allergy have to have a gluten-free diet.  And many Americans avoid gluten because they believe doing so helps control their weight or symptoms of other conditions such as multiple sclerosis, autism, thyroid disease and ADHD.

            Swoon is a gluten-free gourmet bakery specializing in cupcakes, cookies and other desserts located at 109 Danbury Road in the Copp’s Hill Common Marketplace.  It is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.  It is owned and operated by two Ridgefield residents, Jordan Gregory and Robert Byrnes.  All items are made on premises daily using fresh and natural high-quality ingredients.

The Cake Box is a gourmet cake and cupcake bakery located at 1 Big Shop Lane in downtown Ridgefield.  It is also owned and operated by Gregory and Byrnes.  All items are made on the premises daily using fresh and natural high-quality ingredients.

More information about Swoon may be found at www.swoonglutenfree.com.  More information about The Cake Box may be found at www.thecakeboxofct.com.