If finding a store location in Codman Square was as easy for Teresa Maynard as applying the frosting to her renowned cupcakes and other baked treats, she would be only a short walk from work and ready for a major expansion of her bakery.

Though the commercial district in Codman Square has hit hard times in recent years compared to other business districts in Dorchester, locations in the area still have been hard to come by for local businesses.

This was exactly the situation that Maynard, who lives in the Square and has operated Sweet Teez Bakery since 2016 out of the Commonwealth Kitchen commercial kitchen facility on Quincy Street in Grove Hall, told the Codman Square Neighborhood Council (CSNC) about during a July 6 meeting.

Maynard said her bakery has hit limitations due to a lack of space and ownership. For instance, it is a nut-free bakery, but she cannot say that it is 100 percent nut-free because it’s in a shared space. She also cannot expand the way she wants to – ¬ to between 2,500 and 3,000 square feet.

“One big thing we can’t do, and want to do, is people call me every day wanting to pick up a birthday cake and we can’t do that because we don’t have a brick-and-mortar location,” she said.

“We are looking for any possible space in Codman Square,” she continued. “The lack of space is really hindering us now. My realtors ask if I would consider looking outside of Dorchester and the answer is ‘no.’…People ask me why I don’t go to JP, and I don’t want to go to JP to get anything unless I absolutely have to. I think my neighbors might feel the same way.”

Maynard said she envisions a bakery that serves the community and supports her commercial and catering business, and that also provides a good cup of coffee that isn’t McDonalds or Dunkin’ Donuts. It would also provide a community gathering space that doesn’t exist, she said, adding that she looked at the former Subway sandwich shop in Codman Square, but the landlord didn’t want to lease to her. She has also looked just outside Codman at Zia Gianna on Dorchester Avenue, but it is too small. She said the location of the failed Popeye’s Restaurant in Codman Square would be ideal.

Sources have said that the lease on the proposed Popeye’s site, which was blocked by the community from opening several years ago and has remained vacant, is up some time this year.

CSNC President Cynthia Loesch Johnson said the council wants to do everything it can to help Maynard find a location. “We have a bakery, locally owned by a Codman Square resident who wants to open up on Washington Street,” she said. “This is exactly what the teens and the community want and needs. We need to do everything in our power to assist her in opening up here before we lose her to any of these other neighborhoods that would love to have her and would welcome her with open arms…We need to get this done.”

She said there are plans for a meeting with several landlords in the Square, including the Subway building owner.

CODMAN SQUARE NOTEBOOK
•Codman Square Park design is making a big move next month with a final meeting on Aug. 20, from noon to 2 p.m. during the Codman Square Farmers Market. The Park renovation discussion began in 2018 when residents wanted the underutilized space to be activated. In partnership with the Second Church, which owns half of the space, they have plans to remove the fences and create a large open space with performance space, sitting areas, and a home for the Farmer’s Market.

•The Codman Square Farmer’s Market, which opens this Saturday, according to Market Manager Catherine Charles, continue in operation every Saturday through Oct. 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. With the BOLD Teens taking a leading role, the market, now in its 15th year, will include several farms, and more vendors. There will also be special days called ‘Social Saturdays’ with specific themes.

•There will be Family Movie Nights at 8 p.m. every Friday night this summer in Dr. Loesch Family Park on Wainwright Street. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

•Councillor Erin Murphy’s office reported that there are 3,200 still-unfilled youth summer jobs. She encourages all youth to apply via the Successlink Summer Job process online.

•There will be a community cookout with a Double Dutch and Hula Hoop contest this weekend in the parking lot of Carver Den, 70 Talbot Ave. The event is free to the public.

•Councillor Brian Worrell will be hosting a youth event called "Heat Wave" on the basketball courts at the Lee School on Talbot Avenue this Saturday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. He is looking to engage young people in the neighborhood who have an interest in community building and civics. He said he is hoping to start a youth council for District 4 to get more young voices into City Hall.