ABC Cake Shop, Albuquerque, N.M., held a grand reopening last month to promote its newly remodeled retail bakery.

“We've given the bakery its first face-lift and structural remodel since it moved into this location in 1987,” said owner Paul Bendinskas, who purchased ABC Cake Shop in 2007. “We expanded the front of the store to bring it into the 21st century with new wood shelving, refrigerated display cases, a stained concrete floor, beautiful countertops and new lighting. Upgrading the electrical service and adding a pitched, membrane roof brought the remodel to close to $200,000.”

The bakery specializes in cookies, cakes, cupcakes, pastries and quick breads in a variety of popular regional flavors, such as cinnamon and green chile. With two Certified Decorators and a Certified Master Baker on staff, ABC Cake Shop employs 22 people, many of whom have been with the business for more than 10 years-some as many as 30.

ABC Cake Shop opened in 1972 in a strip mall in Albuquerque's Uptown area. The original owner, Robert Montano, moved ABC Cake Shop into a bigger space across the street in 1987, and Bendinskas purchased the bakery 20 years later. Bendinskas, the son and son-in-law of commercial bakers, has since helped the business grow more than 15 percent each year in gross revenue.

In addition to the remodel, ABC has improved efficiencies in the business side of the bakery. A new point of sale system integrates with computerized order, inventory and customer relationship management modules. Bendinskas plans changes to the production area that will increase the bakery's capacity, including additional freezers, dish room and a new depositor. He also intends to add a line of party and celebration items, such as balloons, ice cream, cups, plates, napkins and utensils.