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Community Corner

WCEC Storming Back Stories: "Squan Strong" Sweet Tease Shop Resilient After Sandy

The owner of Sweet Tease, a specialty bakery serving one-of-a-kind cupcakes, teas, coffees, scones and other sweet treats, could not sugar coat the fact that Hurricane Sandy took a toll at the Jersey Shore and the beautiful town where her shop is located.   

“While Hurricane Sandy may have taken homes, businesses, beaches, and more, it would not daunt our spirit in building all of that back,” Kate Heath says with pride.  “Because, among many things, we are a community of strong will and we are resilient.“

Hurricane Sandy did not cause any physical damage to the bakery and tea shop.  Sweet Tease was without power for several weeks and this did cause some disruption for the business.  Heath and her family placed a generator in the store so they could have power and serve hot drinks to volunteers and rescue teams.  They even made sugar cookies with the “Squan Strong” logo.  “Many from the community helped us cook and we donated meatball sandwiches and baked goods to those who were without a home and kitchens.  I was so impressed with how the Mayor and the townspeople supported one another. Each of us did a small part to foster a spirit of strength.  We did whatever we could to help.”

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Heath, who has owned Sweet Tease for nearly four years, says that the summer has been busy and she is pleased.  The shop, which originally started out just serving teas and coffee, has been expanding the business and now offers a wider selection of baked goods, breakfast and specialty sandwiches. 

As a business owner, she understands the importance of reinvention and constantly improving her business. 

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She spent the winter improving her menu for the summer crowds.  Heath, in commenting about the first summer after the storm, says that business is very good and she is actually opening a second store in Belmar. 

“Moving forward and looking ahead is what we all need to do.  Like so many Jersey Shore towns, Manasquan has recovered quite significantly from Hurricane Sandy and whether a business has been here for 40 years or a newer one like Sweet Tease, we are all going in the right direction – ahead.”

To learn more about this business and others affected by the storm, please visit http://bit.ly/19EYgjm. Funded by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration, the WCEC’s “We’re Storming Back” Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Program provides free workshops, training, and resources to New Jersey businesses affected by Hurricane Sandy to help them to recover and thrive. 

About The WCEC

The WCEC, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit corporation, is a U. S. Small Business Administration’s Women’s Business Center.  The WCEC provides the tools for individuals to successfully own, operate and grow their small businesses, thereby investing financially, intellectually and emotionally in their communities. The WCEC provides more than 150 classes, seminars and individual consulting sessions each year for more than 5,000 participants. For more information please visit hwww.wcecnj.org/.





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