Long Island Cafe Now Shipping Sweet Treats Nationwide: 'It’s So Emotional'

FARMINGDALE, NY — A small cafe started in the heart of Farmingdale by a woman who wanted to share her beloved late aunt's recipes with locals is now shipping its sweet treats across the United States.

Jenna Napolitano founded Elise's Niece's Cafe, located behind 441 Main St., Farmingdale, in June 2020. Napolitano and her Aunt Elise often baked together over the years, whether collaborating on a holiday dessert or sending photos to one another of treats they had crafted. When Napolitano and her family lost Elise because of melanoma cancer, she went to her uncle to ask for Elise's recipes.

Napolitano said "it's so emotional" thinking about people across the country enjoying her aunt's confectionary creations.

"I wish I could know what she would think," Napolitano told Patch. "I feel like she was very private. She was all about her family. The fact that it’s her name and the whole homage to her is going beyond Farmingdale is such a shock, but I think she would be super proud. I love that we could even reach those people and make further connections with people from across the nation."

Napolitano's journey to honor her aunt began with her baking at her mom's house and driving the desserts to the coffee shop she initially sold her products to. She said she had no idea of the work she would have to do to create her own cafe and make it sustainable.

"The fact it’s now at that point of, we have such a great customer base and so many friends we’ve made through it," she said. "Now it’s being shipped to other people who can experience it and learn our story, and how we came to where we are is so inspiring and such a dream come true."

People can order on the Elise's Niece's Cafe website.

Napolitano is selling individual products, like chocolate chip cookies, rainbow cookies, brownies, crumb cake, miniature coconut cake, and more. She also put together variety boxes, including "The Birthday Box" and an Easter seasonal box — she plans to do other boxes for different holidays.

Napolitano came up with the idea in the winter when business is typically slower, as she and her staff are always thinking about creative ways to get busier when it's cold out.

"Once I thought of it, I was like, 'I’m just gonna do it. Rip the Band-Aid off.' So after a couple of weeks, it’s ready to go now."

Orders have already gone to states like California, Florida, Texas and Indianapolis. Social media has helped connect Elise's Niece's Cafe with people who live far from Farmingdale or reconnect the shop with former Farmingdale residents who have moved.

Napolitano said people from China or Switzerland have visited her website, and said she would consider adding international shipping if there is an appetite for it.

She wanted to give "a huge thank you to our customers and our community" for the support.

She plans to keep hosting events that her cafe has become known for, making use of the outdoor courtyard and fire pit behind her parents' home decor store, Back In Time. The cafe hosts private do-it-yourself cake decorating classes, beer and wine tastings, parties, and its own farmers markets.

The cafe is planning a St. Patrick's Day party Saturday where an Irish duo is coming to sing. A beer and pickle pairing featuring South Shore Brewery is also in the works, as it another winter market.

Napolitano said she likes to constantly be creative and innovative.

"Once you sit still, you should be like, 'Something’s wrong,'" she said. "We never sit still. We have dreams about ideas to do, dreams about everything. We’re always kind of thinking and bantering with each other. Sometimes they’re terrible ideas. Sometimes they turn into great ideas. Even with my staff about new flavors."

Elise's Niece's Cafe rotates its menu each week, which Napolitano said is "definitely not the ordinary."

"I think it’s great, because it keeps customers super engaged, because they’re like, 'What’s on the menu this week?' And it’s fun for us baking, because we don’t want to bake the same thing over and over and over again, so monotonous."

Napolitano said it can be exhausting and stressful making sure her events go smoothly and professionally, but in the end, "it's so worth it."

"Not only for us. But to hear and see how much the customers enjoy it and they have a place to go, too. The winter market, I didn’t think anyone would want to do that. I posted it to Instagram and was like, 'Does anyone even want me to attempt to do this?' Everyone was like, 'Yes, yes, we need something to do. It’s winter. We’re bored.' So the fact that the customers almost encouraged me to make the move on it. Finding the vendors was almost a surprise, because I didn’t think anyone would want me to do it in February. I think that my customers inspire me to keep thinking and giving them fun things to look forward to and new things to try."

While the shipping is Napolitano's current focus, she said she's always thinking of new ideas.

"My thing is when I do something, I do it 100% and I want to see it really succeed."

She is currently looking for feedback, critiques and suggestions for the shipping side of her business.