Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – Sweet Treats By Hayley, a bakery offering custom cookies and sweets to the greater Birmingham area, is opening a storefront location in Pelham.

The announcement came via the bakery’s Facebook page on Monday, April 7.

“The dream I’ve been working towards for the past two years is finally happening,” the post read. “I’m beyond excited to announce that I’m opening a storefront bakery right here in Pelham. This has been a dream come true, and I can’t wait to serve the community with all of your favorite made-from-scratch treats.”

Hayley Meeks, the founder of the bakery, gave background on what first inspired her to start Sweet Treats By Hayley, citing the influence of her late grandmother.

“She used to always love to cook and bake,” Meeks said. “Whenever we would go over there and spend time with her, we were always in the kitchen… That’s where I grew to love my niche for baking.”

After honing her craft in baking, Meeks actually took a break for two years before chasing her dream again.

“For a while, I could not get the taste (of my creations) down to my satisfaction,” Meeks said. “I hung it up for two years and then picked it right back up. Ever since then, it has taken off to the point where I’m now able to open up a storefront and provide for the community.”

Before opening her own storefront, Meeks partnered with Paige Parsons Burnett, the owner of Gifted, a gift shop located in Pelham. Meeks cited this as an integral part of her journey to opening her own store.

“We’ve done tons of pop-ups and different events (at Gifted) where I’ve been able to showcase my cookies,” Meeks said. “She (Burnett) is one of the main people that has pushed me closer and closer to this and has been out here rooting for me ever since.”

Along with Burnett, Meeks’ family pushed her to achieve the success that she has found in recent years.

“I call them my taste testers,” Meeks said. “Three years ago I was in nursing school… I hung that up and continued out this dream and haven’t looked back since. If somebody had told me I’d be doing this three years ago, I would have told you you’re crazy.”

With the storefront still in the early stages of development, Meeks is focused on what kind of space the bakery will foster for customers both in quality of food and quality of life.

“I want them to have a very open, very calm experience,” Meeks said. “Basically whatever they have their mind on as far as creating treats, I can pretty much do it. If you can think of it, I can do it. I’m very particular, everything that I do and that comes out of my bakery is made from scratch.”

Meeks’ custom vanilla sugar cookies continue to be one of the bakery’s top sellers. Brownies have also proven to be a big hit, as well as a strawberry cake that has recently grown in popularity. With a variety of flavors offered to customers, Meeks’s baking style is one based on creativity and passion.

Meeks took the time to explain why she chose Pelham as the location for her storefront, citing her relationship with Gifted and the supportive atmosphere as reasons why she made the decision.

“Every business (in Pelham) supports each other,” Meeks said. “Every small business tries to pick up one another, and that’s one of the reasons why I chose Pelham.”

Meeks already has plans to get involved with local events, schools and organizations by providing select treats from her bakery.

“I’ve been in talks with Grace Klein and Oak Mountain Missions,” Meeks said. “If I have extra things at the end of the day or things left over, I plan to donate those to special organizations. I also do have plans down the road to help families who may not be able to afford that special cake or cookie for their kid. To be able to provide that for them at no cost and to give back to the community (in general) is my main goal.”

With the future of her business looking bright, Meeks is already looking ahead to the future, hinting at a possible expansion of her bakery outside of Pelham.

“I of course want to keep this storefront going and open,” Meeks said. “Eventually, I do plan to expand to multiple locations throughout Alabama. I’m working now to try to get in to Piggly Wiggly and have things in grocery stores (as well).”

For more information on Sweet Treats By Hayley, visit Sweettreatsbyhayley.com.