Cookies, Candy, Catering and Cakes: My Grampa’s Store Does it All

When my sister-in-law decided to host Mother’s Day at her house this year I asked her if there was anything she wanted me to bring.

“Bring those brownies or don’t come,” she told me jokingly.

The brownies she was referring to are a specialty item from , 202 N. Wiaola Ave. I ordered the brownies for a party last year and my entire family fell in love with them. Now it appears, I can only attend family parties if I bring the brownies.

But don’t think that brownies are the only thing that My Grampa’s Store does—owner Gina Morello, is quite the specialty cake designer too. I asked Morello how she got her start with cake decorating and I was surprised to find out that she is self-taught, aside from a class at Wilton to brush up on her technique.

When Morello bought the store in 1993, she kept getting requests for cakes, and so she started getting recipes and ideas from other cake decorators and slowly developed a small cake business. Eventually, she discovered that the previous owner of the store, known as Aunt Betty’s, made cakes as part of the store as well. The store has a history with Morello. Her grandparents bought the store, which was an existing grocer and deli that also sold candy and school supplies back in 1937. They owned the store until 1975 when it was sold out of the family. There were two different owners from the time it was sold in 1975 until Morello bought it in 1993.

The store is located inside a typical old La Grange home with Morello and her four boys living upstairs. Once inside, it has the feel of an old penny candy store. After school the store is always loaded with children coming in to buy an after school treat. A glass case houses a wide variety of candies varying in price. Kids point and choose their candies as Morello and her boys try to keep up with after school rush.

The store has something for everyone with the candy for the kids and custom cakes, cookies and catering for adults.

“The cake business really took off about five years ago when the cake decorating shows hit on television,” Morello said.

Looking at the over six hundred cakes she’s documented in pictures, I was impressed with her creativity. She has done cakes for birthdays, showers, retirements, weddings and graduations, just to name a few. If you are looking for a unique or custom cake for any event, Morello can accommodate.

Morello has saved a few of my get togethers with her fruit and veggie trays too. She offers catering trays that include deli sandwiches, fresh baked bread, gourmet meats and sliced cheeses.

For a full selection you can check out the website here. With graduation and block party season just around the corner My Grampa’s Store and Gina’s Cake Crumbs has something that’s sure to be a hit. I think I’ll be bringing those terrific brownies to our block party this year and I might as well put in a standing order for every holiday too. I have to keep the family peace!