Today is the last day for Sweet Generation on 1st Avenue

ICYMI from Dec. 24: After nearly six years at 130 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place, Sweet Generation is closing its bakery ahead of a move to a larger location in Brooklyn.

And today is their last day, when they'll be open for curbside preorder pickup only ... taking orders by phone: (646) 964-5777. (And they have flash sales via their Instagram Stories.) 

Sweet Generation partners with several nonprofit organizations and local high schools to create an internship program that teaches baking, food safety, customer service, work readiness, and entrepreneurship to teens and young adults from low-income communities.

Owner Amy Chasan posted a photo of their spacious new facility in Bushwick...

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sweet Generation Bakery | RISE (@swtgeneration)

The previous tenant here, First Avenue Pierogi and Deli, closed in July 2014 after 30 years in business.

Sweet Generation is leaving the East Village

After nearly six years at 130 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place, Sweet Generation is closing up its bakery ahead of a move to a larger location in Brooklyn.

Per their Instagram this morning:

Come by and say goodbye to our tiny little adorable shop ❤️ We are so sad to go, and also so excited for our next big step opening our beautiful new space in Brooklyn (right off the Jefferson L stop). 

The shop will be open today until 3 p.m. They'll be open for curbside pickup only on Saturday, Sunday and Monday ... taking orders by phone: (646) 964-5777. Closed for good starting on Tuesday. And there are sales are elect items. 

Sweet Generation partners with several nonprofit organizations and local high schools to create an internship program that teaches baking, food safety, customer service, work readiness, and entrepreneurship to teens and young adults from low-income communities.

Image via Instagram

Sweet Generation celebrating 5 years on 1st Avenue

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sweet Generation Bakery | RISE (@swtgeneration) on Jan 11, 2020 at 4:46am PST

Sweet Generation, the bakery at 130 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place, is celebrating its 5th anniversary this weekend ... on this occasion, they are giving out free mini cupcakes [while supplies last].

Sweet Generation partners with several nonprofit organizations and local high schools to create an internship program that teaches baking, food safety, customer service, work readiness, and entrepreneurship to teens and young adults from low-income communities.

Today in last-minute dessert-related needs

As on previous Thanksgiving days... Sweet Generation, 130 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place, is open today until about 4:30 p.m. (or while supplies last).

Owner Amy Chasan shared a list of available items, including pumpkin, pecan, traditional apple and apple crumble pies ... cupcake packs (Cranberry Black Sesame, Bourbon Chocolate Caramel, Caramel Apple Crumble, Pumpkin Spice) ...cookie platters ... pumpkin breads, etc.!

Sweet Generation, who turns 4 in January, partners with several nonprofit organizations and local high schools to create an internship program that teaches baking, food safety, customer service, work readiness, and entrepreneurship to teens and young adults from low-income communities.

Meanwhile, down First Avenue between Fourth Street and Fifth Street, the 59-79-99-cent shop is open for last-minute table-setting needs... probably find some Easter stuff in there too...

Sweet Generation is 3 today

Sweet Generation, the bakery at 130 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place, is celebrating its third anniversary (birthday?) today... to celebrate, there are some freebies while supplies last.

Sweet Generation partners with several nonprofit organizations and local high schools to create an internship program that teaches baking, food safety, customer service, work readiness, and entrepreneurship to teens and young adults from low-income communities.

[Updated] Sweet Generation's Thanksgiving

In case you need something last-minute and bakery-related tomorrow...Sweet Generation, 130 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place, will be open on Thanksgiving day starting at 8 a.m.

Several residents told me that they were happy to find the bakery open last Thanksgiving.

I asked owner Amy Chasan about working that day.

"We will be open until at least 3 p.m., and will have tons of pies, assorted brownie and cookie platters, cakes, and seasonal cupcakes. I work the counter with my fiancé all day so my team can be with their families and we can still serve the community," she said. "We have a lot of fun working that day and helping people with last-minute treats."

Sweet Generation, who turns 3 in January, partners with several nonprofit organizations and local high schools to create an internship program that teaches baking, food safety, customer service, work readiness, and entrepreneurship to teens and young adults from low-income communities.

Updated 2 p.m.

Speaking of pies ... Bakeri, 627 E. Sixth St. between Avenue B and Avenue C, is open tomorrow from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. ...

A post shared by Bakeri NYC (@bakerinyc) on Nov 20, 2017 at 7:45am PST

Turning 2 at Sweet Generation

Last week, we mentioned that Sweet Generation, the bakery at 130 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place, was celebrating its second anniversary ... and here is the deal today...

This Wednesday, January 11th, our East Village bakery turns TWO✌️! We will be celebrating all day with 2 for 1 specials and FREE MINI CUPCAKES🎉🍥🎂🎈🍪 #sweetgeneration #sweetenthefuture

A photo posted by Sweet Generation Bakery (@swtgeneration) on Jan 9, 2017 at 10:40pm PST

Sweet Generation partners with several nonprofit organizations and local high schools to create an internship program that teaches baking, food safety, customer service, work readiness, and entrepreneurship to teens and young adults from low-income communities.

A Sweet new mural for 1st Avenue bakery

Sweet Generation, the bakery at 130 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place, turns two next week.

Ahead of that, here's a look at the recently completed mural on the shop's front gate...



Here's more about the project, which started in late November, in collaboration with FABNYC:

Facilitated by artist Lexy Ho-Tai, the mural will be designed and painted by seven of Sweet Generation’s Youth Program RISE participants. In line with FABNYC’s 2016-17 programmatic focus on sustainability, this FABLES collaboration celebrates the interconnected thriving of commerce, culture, and politics, as embodied by the hopes and dreams harnessed by the RISE youth for the future of their neighborhoods.

Since its inception, Sweet Generation’s RISE program for at-risk youth has been a steadfast and integral part of their mission-driven business. Amy Chasan, founder of Sweet Generation, brought her youth development work background to the bakery and concurrently launched the RISE internship program, as a commitment to personal and professional growth for young people. The mural process provides another creative and meaningful opportunity for interns to learn real-world, tangible skills while developing their interpersonal skills and building a network.

Thanks to EVG correspondent Steven for the photos!

Sweet Generation selling rainbow cupcakes for Equality Florida

Our hearts are with Orlando and the LGBTQ community. We will be selling rainbow cupcakes to raise money for the families of the victims. All proceeds will be donated to Equality Florida. @equalityfl #LoveIsLoveIsLove #WeAreOrlando #EqualityFlorida #sweetgeneration

A photo posted by Sweet Generation (@swtgeneration) on Jun 13, 2016 at 8:49pm PDT

Sweet Generation is at 130 First Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Seventh Street. The store is open until 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; until 9 p.m. on Friday and 10 p.m. on Saturday.

Gothamist has photos from last night's vigil at the Stonewall Inn here.

The Sweet Generation storefront turns 1 today

Sweet Generation is celebrating its 1-year storefront anniversary today from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. by giving away free mini cupcakes (while supplies last!) and coupons at 130 First Ave. between East Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

Here's more about the work they do via the anniversary announcement ...

Sweet Generation bakery believes in the power of the arts and creativity in making change in one's life and in the world. They have partnered with several nonprofit organizations and local High Schools to create an internship program that teaches baking, food safety, customer service, work readiness, and entrepreneurship to teens and young adults from low-income communities. With every purchase of their award-winning cupcakes and pastries you are supporting their internship program for at-risk youth, teaching job readiness skills in their creative bakery space.

Since opening a year ago, Sweet Generation has mentored over 20 at-risk New York City youth through partnerships with Cypress Hills LDC, The Boys Club of NY, City As School, The Center For Arts Education, Lower Manhattan Arts Academy, and more.

Additionally, Sweet Generation works to support the fundraising and programmatic goals of innovative and creative organizations by making cash and product donations to programs that align with their mission. They have also hosted over half a dozen art exhibitions showcasing the talented youth of the local community.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Sweet Generation opens today

At the grand opening of Sweet Generation

Photos and text by Stacie Joy

I dropped by Sunday's grand opening of Sweet Generation with my neighbor Ed and his son, baby Ed, for some cupcakes and treats, and to learn more about its "sweet" social mission.


[Baby Ed and Ed]

First of all, the bakery at 130 First Ave. near St. Mark's Place has more than just cupcakes, which is a relief, as I have been a bit cupcaked-out. There are cookies and brownies and banana breads ... and croissants, muffins and tarts, plus coffee drinks and lemonades.

Owner Amy Chasan, a former high school teacher, was kind enough to take a few minutes out of her busy and crowded-with-well-wishers day to tell me a bit more about the program at her bakery.





She introduced me to one of her interns, Elizabeth, and her piping artist, Rena (serious decorative skills here!), as well as her café manager and arts curator, Regina.

We viewed the youth artwork on a special magnetic wall, set up for rotating displays (currently titled "Selfies").



Amy explained that her mission (partnered with Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation and the Lower Manhattan Arts Academy) is to help young people by instilling a work ethic and learning food-handling as well as baking and customer service skills. In addition, a portion of the shop's proceeds go to developing arts education, which Amy is passionate about.



I took home a blackberry kolaczki, made in honor of First Avenue Pierogi and Deli, the previous tenant here whose family, who owns the building, decided to retire last summer.



You can learn more about the new bakery at its Facebook page.



Previously.

Sweet Generation opens today

[Photo via Sweet Generation]

Sweet Generation's storefront bakery opens today at 8 a.m. at 130 First Ave. near St Mark's Place.

This is the first storefront for owner Amy Chasan, a former high school arts teacher who quit her job to open the made-to-order bakery business.

Here's more about the operation via the EVG inbox...

Sweet Generation donates a portion of proceeds to innovative creative organizations to support their fundraising and programmatic goals.

Additionally, Sweet Generation has partnered with Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation and the Lower Manhattan Arts Academy to create an internship program that teaches baking, customer service, work readiness, and entrepreneurship to teens and young adults from low-income communities. The shop also boasts a magnetic Art wall that will showcase talented young artists.

In a comment to us a few weeks back, Chasan said, "Sweet Generation is focused on creating opportunities for youth, and our new bakery does just that. The young people working in our business and developing as professionals certainly are eager to meet the community as am I."

During business hours today (8 a.m. to 7 p.m.), Sweet Generation is offering a variety of promotions such as coupons, discounts, samples, etc., on their various baked goods. Sweet Generation will also serve coffee from Brooklyn Roasting Company.

The space was previously home to First Avenue Pierogi and Deli, whose owners decided to retire (they also own the building) in early July.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Coming soon to 1st Avenue: Sweet Generation, 'A Bakery for Arts Education'

The Sweet Generation awning arrives

The awning arrived yesterday here at 130 First Ave. near St. Mark's Place, where the custom bakery is set to open early in the New Year.

As we first reported last month, this is the first storefront for owner Amy Chasan, a former high school arts teacher who quit her job to open the made-to-order cookie and cupcake business.

Here's more about the place:

Sweet Generation not only funds Arts education for youth, but engages young people in the business itself. A portion of Sweet Generation’s sales are donated to Arts organizations, and we support their fundraising efforts through in-kind donations of our baked goods. We also started an internship program that teaches baking, work readiness, and entrepreneurship to teens and young adults from low-income communities.

In 2013, the Voice named Sweet Generation the "Best Cupcake" in NYC.

After 30 years here, proprietor Wieslawa Kurowycky and her family decided to retire and close First Avenue Pierogi and Deli in early July.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Coming soon to 1st Avenue: Sweet Generation, 'A Bakery for Arts Education'

Coming soon to 1st Avenue: Sweet Generation, 'A Bakery for Arts Education'

There's a new tenant coming to the former First Avenue Pierogi and Deli at 130 First Ave. near St. Mark's Place.

As you can see, signs are up for Sweet Generation, a bakery that recently raised $27,000 in an Indiegogo campaign that ended on Friday to help build out the space.

Owner Amy Chasan is a former high school arts teacher who quit her job to open the made-to-order cookie and cupcake business … first from her home kitchen then to a shared commercial space.

Here's more about Sweet Generation via Indiegogo:

Before starting Sweet Generation, I dedicated my career to Arts education. I first taught Art in 2004 at an alternative high school that was a last resort for teens — there I witnessed the dramatic and profound transformation that my students experienced when nothing else had worked for them. They gained confidence, developed a stronger sense of self, and assumed greater responsibility for their own success. I spent 8 years running Arts programs and then worked with the City of New York to expand and improve Arts programs in low-income communities.

The problem is the negative impact that funding cuts have on the quality and availability of the Arts to children. In fact, government funding for the arts has decreased by 31% since 1992! I noticed that organizations tried to bridge the gap through bake sales and community events, but the ones that needed it most could not make up the loss.

At the same time, I returned to my lifelong love of baking as a personal creative outlet and before I knew it, I was being hired to cater weddings, art openings and corporate parties. Demand grew to the point that I was baking all night, going to work in the morning, running out to do a delivery on my lunch break, and then starting all over again… and that’s when I came up with the idea for Sweet Generation, a bakery that removes barriers between children and art.

Sweet Generation not only funds Arts education for youth, but engages young people in the business itself. A portion of Sweet Generation’s sales are donated to Arts organizations, and we support their fundraising efforts through in-kind donations of our baked goods. We also started an internship program that teaches baking, work readiness, and entrepreneurship to teens and young adults from low-income communities.

Some of the organizations that Sweet Generation supports are: Theater for a New Audience, Arlington Center for the Arts, Children’s Museum of the Arts, Citizen Schools, Urban Arts Partnership, The After School Corporation (TASC), Precious Dreams Foundation and the Hip-Hop Re:Education Project.

In 2013, the Voice named Sweet Generation the "Best Cupcake" in NYC.

After 30 years here, proprietor Wieslawa Kurowycky and her family decided to retire and close First Avenue Pierogi and Deli in early July.

Previously on EV Grieve:
After 30 years, First Avenue Pierogi and Deli is closing