WORCESTER—As a young girl living in Queens, NY, Alice Lombardi always loved being in the kitchen, especially enthralled by watching and learning how to cook and bake from her grandmother. Then, after she got older, married and moved to Massachusetts, she caught an episode of Julia Child making an almond pithivier.
“After that, I was hooked and wanted to learn everything about the art of baking and pastries,” Lombardi told the Worcester Guardian. “It became therapeutic, especially while working full-time in the corporate world and being a hands-on mom to a toddler and newborn.”
That passion for baking flourished, leading Alice Lombardi to acquire the necessary licenses in 1998 to establish a home-based baking business. Straight from her kitchen oven emerged delectable treats, including award-winning molten chocolate lava cakes, fruit tarts, and her renowned Strawberry Snowflake Cake.
The irresistible aromas emanating from Lombardi’s home likely left her neighbors craving her creations. In just two years, in June of 2001, she transitioned her business from her residence to the Bean Counter Coffee Bar, an establishment that had graced Highland Street since 1991. With the addition of a bakery component, she rebranded it as the Bean Counter Bakery Cafe.
She soon expanded her locations to a cafe in Shrewsbury on Route 9 in Shrewsbury, and in 2020 added another Bean Counter at 270 Grove St. The Grove Street and Highland Street locations are still open, with a ribbon cutting and grand re-opening for the Highland Street branch on Wednesday, March 20. The Bean Counter on Highland Street “softly” reopened on March 6, closed since Jan. 8 to undergo a major renovation.
The renovation was designed by architect Len Pagano and Antonelli Construction renovated the space, explained Lombardi. The new interior space has new floors, tile, tables, chairs, a service counter, and lights.
“Our goal during this renovation was to create the best experience for our customers when they come to Bean Counter Bakery Café,” said Lombardi. “The overall look of Highland Street was modeled after our flagship location on Grove Street. The goal was to continue with the modern vibe showcasing the sophisticated brand. We carried over elements including the marble quartz counters, and white subway tiles, along with the flooring material. I worked alongside my Strategic Branding & Design Consultant Edna Dratch-Parker of EFD Creative and Turku Hastürk, Brand Innovative Strategist, on the finishing touches and making sure our brand was consistent throughout the renovation process.”
Lombardi said the new look complements the product, coffees, teas, and homemade pastries, desserts and sweets that have landed numerous awards and accolades over the years, including consecutive wins from The Knot and WeddingWire since 2010.
“We have also competed in Wedding Cake-Offs in the Boston area and won twice when I first started offering wedding cakes 15 years ago,” said Lombardi. “We have also won the Telegram & Gazette reader’s choice awards for best coffee, best desserts, and most recently, for the ‘best locally-owned place to meet for coffee’ from the Worcester Business Journal.”
And, as for the days of dishing out foodstuff from her kitchen, Lombardi said, “I still enjoying cooking for friends and family, but my passion is baking!”
Charlene Arsenault can be contacted at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
