Holy City’s new bake shop has a special tie to The Restoration.
Something sweet has arrived in Charleston.
Holy City’s newest bake shop, Charleston Sugar Studio specializes in custom creations that are almost too pretty to eat—almost. With an emphasis on high-quality local ingredients and thoughtful presentation, it only makes sense that it’s owned and operated by The Restoration’s former general manager, Chelsea Nightengale. After her bittersweet departure, Chelsea translated her knack for hospitality and creating memorable experiences into treats for life’s sweetest moments. In addition to her mobile pop-ups and made-to-order creations, guests can try some of Chelsea’s signature creations right here at The Restoration at The Watch Rooftop, as the perfect ending to their Lowcountry feast.
Ahead, we talk with Chelsea about new beginnings, small-batch baking, and why Charleston Sugar Studios and The Restoration were a match meant to be.
Why did you decide to create Charleston Sugar Studio?
Charleston Sugar Studio was started out of a desire to create again.
I was missing the sense of crafting something with my hands. My previous career allowed me to be mentally creative but there’s something to be said for working with your hands to create something tangible. There are no bad days when baking. When you bake, you’re creating life’s sweetest moments, literally.
What does it mean to be a small-batch bakery?
Small-batch baking is essentially small-quantity baking. We are not a massive commercial bakery that is producing huge quantities of product. This allows us to keep a greater emphasis on quality.
What is the most ambitious custom treat you’ve created yet?
Last week I made a 4-tier wedding cake to feed 400 guests. The bride and groom said, “This is our wedding color palette, surprise us!” It was such an honor to have creative freedom over something so special. I always love a big cake, it’s such a show-stopper.
Why did you choose to partner with The Restoration to serve your treats?
I’d like to think we chose each other. I think it’s important to align your business with other like-minded businesses. The Restoration feels handmade, from the bricks in the walls to the lattes in The Rise, everything feels artisan. We strive for those qualities within our bakes. Everything we produce is scratch-made with pure ingredients.
Learn more about Charleston Sugar Studios and shop their made-to-order treats on their website www.charlestonsugarstudio.com, or follow them on Instagram at @charlestonsugarstudio to stay updated on upcoming pop-up events.
