Vivienne McIntyre at The Cake Box, Tuam. Photo: Ray Ryan

The sweet love story of a family business

WITHIN seconds at the counter you can’t help but lick your lips and there's no doubt it won't be long before you're trying not to lick your fingers.

Choosing from the colourful and artistic assortment of hand-made cakes and pastries on display at family bakery The Cake Box is the challenge. Few of the customers who watch as their decadent chocolate gateau is carefully placed in a box realise that it was made to the same recipe that was used when the shop first opened 45 years ago.
The bakery and teashop on Tuam’s High Street has provided the centrepiece for countless family celebrations over the years and has served umpteen customers a hot cuppa and something sweet and yummy to go with it.
The bakery dates back to 1973 when it was opened by Kit McIntyre, originally from Belmullet in Co Mayo. She quickly learned how to up her home-baking skills to a more professional level after she decided to buy the shop, live overhead and run a business to support her two sons – Declan and Alan – both of whom attended St Jarlath’s College. Kit was a young widow after her husband died suddenly aged just 29.
Business was new to her but with great support from a baker friend she quickly got The Cake Box up and running.

Read the full feature in this week's edition of The Tuam Herald