Chan Buie (Courtesy photo)
Entrepreneurship, Bankers Hill

Military Veteran Turned Baker Sweetens Up the East Village

By Frank Sabatini Jr.

Occupying one of the ground-level retail spaces in the Park 12 apartment building in East Village is Hey Sugar, a dessert shop owned by retired military veteran and baker, Chan Buie.

“We originally opened in February, but then closed for several months to build out the space,” said Buie, who recently made room in her 700-square-foot store for six vendors to display and sell their goods rent-free. Those include a skin care company called Redds Soul of Beauty and a clothing and accessories line by Ambitiously Fit.

Buie’s specialty is “cakes in a jar.” We’re talking about delights such as red velvet, triple chocolate, and strawberry shortcake layered seductively in glass canning jars and sold in various sizes. She also sells peach cobbler and cheesecake in their traditional forms.

“This is my first business. Navigating my way in the civilian sector is different because I’m working without the templates I knew in the military for getting things done,” she said.

The shop offers a small seating area as well as playing cards and board games for customers to enjoy. It also features a “pup station” with free treats and water for canine guests.

Other retail tenants in Park 12 include Sol Collective Yoga Studio, plus Pupper Club dog day care, and the newly opened Carmelita’s Kitchen de Mexico.