Montanaro Cakery & Macarons is moving to a larger location in St. Albans
- Steven Keith
- 6 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Plus: Crepizza reopens, Hagy's closes, Nomada wins and more news!
A popular bakery in St. Albans has been closed since July 4 to move the business to a larger location to better meet increasing demand for its cakes, macarons and other baked delights.
Montanaro Cakery & Macarons will soon reopen at 1822 Kanawha Terrace, less than a mile from its original location that opened in the fall of 2023 at 2424 Kanawha Terrace.
“For those who know, we have been planning on moving into a larger location for a while now, so we will be closed until we have everything in perfect condition for you guys,” owners Greg Polsinelli and Jacob Shaffer announced to customers. “These past three years have been beyond words with the love and support we have received from you guys, and we just can’t be more grateful.”
The new location passed its county health inspection last week, so a reopening date will be announced once the city of St. Albans completes its final safety inspection.
Montanaro’s regular hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call 304-488-8297, visit www.wvcakery.com or check out the bakery’s Facebook page.
Crepizza in Trace Fork reopens after fire
Crepizza at 100 RHL Blvd. at Trace Fork in Charleston reopened its doors last Wednesday after a fire in April damaged the kitchen, forcing the restaurant to close for a few months.
Co-owner Manoli Stavrulakis said in addition to repairing fire damage, the family took advantage of the setback to reimagine and improve a few things at the restaurant, including replacing the old oven with a new rotating pizza oven.
The restaurant serves a Greek and Italian-inspired fusion menu featuring sweet and savory crepes, pizzas, pastas and more.
Crepizza is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
For more information, call (304) 746-4040, visit www.crepizza.com or check out the restaurant’s Facebook page.
Hagy’s Irish Pie Pub closes downtown
After 18 months in business – and just a week after posting new operating hours – Hagy’s Irish Pie Pub at 908 Quarrier St. in downtown Charleston has closed.
In a pointed post on Facebook last Wednesday, the restaurant cited several factors that led to its demise, including fighting against contractors, fallout from a social media post made by the owner, a lack of community support past Capitol Street and heavy taxes.
That divisive post in question shared owner Linda Matheny’s belief that trans athletes should not be allowed to participate on sports teams not matching their genders at birth, which led to calls to boycott Hagy’s before it even opened. Despite trying to later clarify her support of LGBTQ+ rights (and raising money for AIDS/HIV research, to combat the disease that claimed her late brother) the original fallout remained significant.
“Your favorite Irish pub lost the good fight,” the post concluded. “It is with heavy hearts that we are announcing we are now closed. Thanks to all who supported us this last year and a half.”
Nomada Bakery repeats as USA Today’s #1 cake shop
In case you missed it, Nomada Bakery at 210 11th St. in Huntington has claimed the title of USA Today’s #1 Cake Shop for the second consecutive year in the publication’s 10Best Awards program.
Nominated by a panel of experts and voted on by the public, this amazing little place tucked inside Huntington’s Heritage Station serves deliciously fresh and authentic croissants, cakes and more.
“Nomada Bakery features flavors that are both foreign and familiar, thanks to baker and co-owner Ariel Barcenas' delicious innovation,” USA Today said in announcing the repeat win.
“The menu is comprised of tarts bursting with fresh fruit, decadent chocolate tortes and incredible cakes. One popular menu item is the Alfacake, a yellow cake with Swiss buttercream and dulce de leche crowned with an alfajor, a traditional Latin American sandwich cookie. Can't decide? Order a box of baby cakes in an assortment of flavors.”
Nomada is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. For more information, call 681-204-5528, visit www.nomadabakery.com or check out the bakery’s Facebook page.
More restaurants open or on the way
But wait, as they say, there’s more!
Almost Heaven Nutrition has opened at 1106 Fledderjohn Rd. in Charleston’s Ashton Place shopping center, offering a large variety of protein shakes, iced protein coffees, loaded teas, acai bowls, protein waffle cups and other protein-heavy baked goods.
The shop is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Pulp Juice and Smoothie Bar will soon open at 3708 MacCorkle Ave. SE in Kanawha City, serving more than 30 smoothies, plus fresh-squeezed juices, wraps, bowls and more.
A third regional location of Wingstop is coming to Southridge, at the far right end of the shopping center that includes Aldi and David’s Bridal, down next to Panera Bread. It joins current locations at 5707 MacCorkle Ave. in Kanawha City and 105 Liberty Square in Hurricane, serving chicken wings, tenders and sandwiches.
Steven Keith is a food writer and restaurant critic known as “The Food Guy” who writes a weekly column for the Charleston Gazette-Mail and has appeared in several state, regional and national publications. Follow him online at www.wvfoodguy.com or on Facebook, X, Instagram and Pinterest as “WV Food Guy.” He can be reached at wvfoodguy@aol.com.