Magnolia Bakery is officially heading north!
The New York bakery that had people lining up for cupcakes long before social media made food go viral is expanding into Canada. Chetanshi and Shaishav “Shay” Thakkar are leading the rollout, with plans to open 10 locations across Ontario.
Magnolia Bakery’s rise to fame can be traced back to a single scene in Sex and the City. In a 2000 episode, Carrie Bradshaw and Miranda Hobbes sat outside the bakery sharing cupcakes, introducing millions of viewers to the small Bleecker Street shop. The moment helped transform Magnolia from a neighbourhood bakery into a must-visit destination for fans visiting New York City.
Since then, Magnolia Bakery has continued to pop up across film and television, with appearances in The Devil Wears Prada and Broad City. It has even been referenced on Saturday Night Live, where a rap sketch featuring Andy Samberg poked fun at the bakery’s cult following.
What started as a single bakery in Manhattan’s West Village has since grown into an international brand, with locations across the United States, the Middle East and Asia. Even as it expanded, Magnolia has largely stuck to the classic American baked goods that made it famous, including cupcakes, layer cakes, cookies and its signature banana pudding.
While the bakery first became known for its cupcakes, many fans now make the trip for its banana pudding. The dessert layers fresh bananas, vanilla wafers and a light, creamy pudding, and has become one of Magnolia’s most recognizable menu items.
Details on locations and opening dates are still under wraps, but the expansion marks Magnolia Bakery’s first major push into the Ontario market.