Corina Bakery prepares for move, expansion | Business

Magic is happening behind five big papered windows on Fawcett Ave.

Walls are being framed, floors cemented, and lights installed - all in preparation for the wedding cakes, scones, muffins and more that will soon fill the space.

Projected to open by Feb. 1, the new home of Corina Bakery will nearly double the bakery's seating capacity, and at least double or triple its ability to fulfill custom orders like wedding cakes.

"One of the primary reasons to do the move is we didn't physcially have enough space to do wedding cakes," says owner Molly Ott, who says the bakery is currently maxed out at about 10 wedding cakes per weekend.

Ott and her team were having to turn down cake orders, which she says they really did not want to do.

Then, one of the storefronts next to the Grand Cinema became available - it was a nice upgrade, perhaps, but still not quite enough space. Then a second space opened up and Ott knew it was time to expand.

Now, in less than a month, the spaces that most recently housed Mineola and Mavi Contemporary Art Gallery will be one, and will form Corina's new home.

The new space will feature a massive baking area, a seating capacity of 44 (up from the current 24), a back room that can be reserved for meetings or private events and an expanded menu and hours.

Ott says she hopes to do a lot of collaboration with new next-door neighbor the Grand Cinema.

"We've always been big supports of the Grand Cinema, and we hope it will become a destination," she says. "... We really just want it to be a cool place to come and hang out."

Corina will stay open in its new location until the start of the Grand Cinema's final showing each evening and will offer an expanded savory menu, including things like sandwiches, salads and cheese tarts. Ott says she is also applying for a liquor license for wine and beer so customers can stop by and enjoy a pairing like champagne and cheesecake.

Corina's current setup includes a small storefront in the Merlino Arts Center that faces S. 6th Ave, with its kitchen two floors above. Corina is primarily a dessert bakery, with all offerings made from scratch, including gluten-free, low sugar and vegan items.

The move around the corner will eliminate the need to hoist heavy bags of suger and floor or heavy but delicate wedding cakes up and down stairs.

For now, Ott is looking forward to expanding the bakery's ability to fullfil more wedding cake and other speciality orders. How much will the business expand?

"Double? Triple? I don't know, the sky's the limit," answers Ott.