Press release: Bakery prioritizing customer service opens Downtown
ALBANY – A ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening celebration was held on Friday, October 4, at Fat Boy's Sugar Shack, a new bakery in downtown Albany. The bakery is located at 61 N Pearl Street, with the entrance on Steuben Street. Fat Boy Sugar Shack offers a variety of treats, including cheesecakes, parfaits, bundt cakes, cookies, and more.
The event was attended by Owner and Operator Anthony Coleman; Downtown Albany Business Improvement District Executive Director Georgette Steffens; Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan; Assemblymember Patricia Fahy; Economic Development and Sustainability Coordinator for Albany County Executive's Office, Lucas Rogers; and property owner and Redburn Development Partners Principal, Jeffrey Buell.
In addition to selling unique and delicious baked goods and sweets, Coleman aims to make customers feel at home in his establishment.
"When people come here, I want them to feel like they are home and in their own living room and that you can be yourself in this business,” he said.
Coleman's customer-oriented work ethic is influenced by his experience as a shuttle bus driver and front desk assistant at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Albany. His interactions with hundreds of people daily have prepared him for owning and operating his bakery. He initially started selling his baked goods to hotel guests with permission from his general manager, and the success of these interactions motivated him to open his own shop.
Coleman's entrepreneurial spirit stems from growing up in New York City among many like-minded businesspeople. After moving to Albany 22 years ago, he started three businesses, including a bar and grill on S Pearl Street. He has also developed close relationships within the downtown Albany business community.
Inspired by his family, particularly his mother who was known for her banana pudding, Coleman created the menu items. The name "Fat Boy's Sugar Shack" is a nickname for his 14-year-old grandson, who often visits the store with his friends. Since opening in July, the business has seen increased sales, with an estimated 65% of sales coming from Downtown residents and 35% from people working in the area.
Notably, when HBO's "The Gilded Age" filmed in downtown Albany in August, Coleman was delighted when two of the show's stars, Phylicia Rashad and Cynthia Nixon, frequented his business.
Coleman attributes this attention to the customer service he provides guests at the hotel and his overall ability to connect with people.
"For Phylicia Rashad, that was the third time at the hotel and every time she came, she was looking for me. She said, 'The reason I deal with you is because you got a beautiful soul.'"
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said: "Fat Boy's Sugar Shack is a fun and welcoming bakery with unique and delicious offerings from banana puddings and cheesecakes to cookies and brownies and so much more. We’re thrilled to have them Downtown and could not be happier about The Gilded Age’s impact on their business – only good things to come for Fat Boy’s Sugar Shack."
Assemblymember Patricia Fahy said: “Walkable communities matter – they are good for our health and mental health, and it is entrepreneurs like Anthony Coleman who fuel and add to the vibrancy of our walkable Downtown community. Businesses like Fat Boy’s Sugar Shack are a win for the neighborhood and the core of our Capital Region, and I can’t thank Anthony more for investing in downtown Albany’s continued success.”
Property owner and President of Redburn Development Partners Elizabeth Young JoJo said: "Redburn is thrilled that Anthony Coleman decided to make this storefront on Steuben a home for Fat Boy's Sugar Shack. We’re excited to see what the future holds for his bakery and are thrilled with the progress he has made thus far. It's a wonderful place for our Downtown tenants to go for a delicious treat."
Downtown Albany BID Executive Director Georgette Steffens said: "We are excited to welcome a bakery to the core of Albany, offering unique and delicious treats and baked goods. Owner Anthony Coleman has been a member of our Downtown community for a long time and identified a missing piece to our offerings, and who better to fill that gap than someone with incredible recipes and wonderful hospitality? Fat Boy's Sugar Shack joins other amazing new and established businesses in Steuben Alley, and we are thrilled to support his new venture."
