NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley is thrilled to support the Millrace Kitchen, an incubator space designed to support food business startups. Since opening in 2017, over 40 food businesses have worked out of the kitchen space at 40 South Main Street.
In this series, you’ll Meet the Millrace Members, get a sense of what it takes to start a food business and learn of some incredible food and baked goods being made right in downtown Woonsocket.
Tell us about yourself and your business.
My name is Denise Golia! I’m a married mother of four and grandmother of five. For most of my life, over 24 years, I’ve been a cosmetologist and instructor. I ended up having 2 cervical spinal fusions, so doing hair became increasingly difficult. Ever since I can remember, I’ve always loved to bake and did almost all of the baking for holidays and special occasions. I decided to learn how to bake gluten-free items because I have a grandson with celiac disease and other family members who are gluten sensitive. I tested my recipes for well over a year until I finally created recipes that got rave reviews. My family suggested I should sell my gluten-free cupcakes, because good gluten-free baked goods are so hard to find. I get told all the time that you can’t even tell that they’re GF and I love that. So that’s how Dee’s Little Sweets was born!
What type of food do you make?
I make GF cupcakes, in 31 different flavors (like Baskin Robbins, lol!). Varieties range from fruit infusions, nut and peanut butter and some classic flavors as well. I also offer cupcake cakes for special occasions and do catered events. Although they’re not on the menu yet, I also bake delicious GF cookies! My oldest grandson and I bake GF chocolate chip cookies every other Saturday, so he has a snack he can enjoy.
How can customers find you?
Customers can find me on my website, www.deeslittlesweets.com, on Facebook and of course by phone (401) 685-1342 and email deeslittlesweets@gmail.com. I’ll be at the Attleboro Farmers Market on specific Saturdays from August until October. I hope to also be at the Farm Fresh RI Winter Market from November 2021 through April 2022.
What are your business dreams?
My dream is to have multiple storefronts in the state of Rhode Island but one would do for now! I’d like Dee’s Little Sweets to become a household name in a great way. I’d love to have my GF cupcakes be for everyone, whether they have gluten allergies or not. That would be fantastic. Eventually I’d like to offer other GF bakery goodies as well, like éclairs, creampuffs, muffins etc.
Interested in starting up your own food business? Need for a baker or caterer for your next event? Looking for a unique space to hold a party?
Visit the Millrace Kitchen to learn more about our offerings.