By Alysse Caldwell
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
It was during the summer heat of 1996 when Capitol Heights, Maryland welcomed Sweet Tooth Cakes and Pastries to the Ritchie Road hotspot, right off the busiest street in the area, Central Avenue.
It didn’t take long for customers to flock to the black-owned bakery at 56 Ritchie Road. Moist triple chocolate cake, tangy strawberry shortcake, savory sweet potato pie, and a series of other delectable goodies have kept Sweet Tooth in business for more than 23 years.
“I brought my daughters first dance recital cake from here, she does ballet,” said patron Nicole Wagner, wearing a fuzzy green winter scarf and carrying a plastic bag full of treats. “She’s 16 now and we still come out to get desert from Sweet Tooth.”
Ricardo Thomas, vice president and co-owner, is the mastermind behind the business. As he changes an apron covered in peach glaze and scurry around the large back kitchen that smelled of frosting, Thomas gives no hint that his first love involved computers, not baking.
“I was really into computer repair,” said Thomas, a native of Southeast Washington, D.C. “But even so I knew that I was also really good at carpentry, fixing and reconstructing buildings and things like that.”
Thomas, who has three siblings, said he dreamed of one day becoming an entrepreneur. His brother had similar aspirations and loved to bake. Back in the ‘90s, while reconstructing a home, Thomas said he received word of a space nearby that was for sale. He learned that the newly listed space had once been occupied as a bakery and was in a great location for business.
“This is when I knew we could do something with this space, and a couple of years later we opened Sweet Tooth,” said Thomas.
Customers are pleased.
“They’re the reason I’ve quit dieting,” said Marilyn Brown, an Upper Marlboro resident and Sweet Tooth regular. “I blame them every week when I come pick up my usual.”
Thomas said his key role now is managing the business.
“Times have changed for me,” Thomas said. “With all of the orders we have coming in, especially during this time with the holiday right around the corner, I still bake but now I manage the front end of the bakery.”
Also, Thomas and the staff have focused on community service too. An abundance of sweet donations has been sent to universities, churches, food pantries, organizations and schools. In addition, Sweet Tooth has catered several City Council member functions, making a name for itself in Prince George’s County.
Celebrities, such as Johnny Gill, Mike Tyson, and several players from both the San Francisco 49ers and Washington Redskins National Football League teams have enjoyed Sweet Tooth treats too.
Donnie Robinson, 69, said she has been coming to the bakery for the past decade.
“I appreciate the fact that when I come in, they smile,” said Robinson as she hauled a buttercream sheet-cake from the bakery. “They all have smiles, especially Rick. Makes me want to keep coming back, and I do.”
After more than two decades of success, Sweet Tooth managers decided to upgrade the facility in September. The bakery now embodies a new and fresh vibe with teal-blue walls and brown marble counter tops accented with words such as “Blessed” and “Love” hanging on its walls.
“This job has taught me a lot,” said Thomas, as he organized a growing pile of receipts of customer orders. “Especially in how I work and deal with people from all walks of life. I tell you it’s a blessing to have acquired what I have.”