Bakery specializing in decadent rum cakes (re-)opens in Niagara Falls

When owner Christine Monfriese held the Grand Opening of her Niagara Falls bakery that specializes in decadent rum-infused cakes on May 5, there must have been the strangest sense of deja-vu.

Monfriese Rum Cakes (4400 Queen St.) is likely already well-known to many in the area simply because it’s been there once before.

Monfriese explained to inniagararegion that after starting her business in 2019, she finally opened a “brick-and-mortar” bakery in the city on June 2020.

Of course, the pandemic restrictions froze the customers out and by the end of that year, the bakery shut its doors.

Naturally, like many confectionary suppliers, she took her rum cakes online but she admitted that was far less satisfying.

“Customers need to see the product in front of them,” she told us. “Being online (only) presents a lot of challenges.”

It seems baking, which she describes as her calling, is best done when you can see the enjoyment of the faces of customers.

Monfriese took an interesting leap even becoming a bakery owner. She had a well-paying job as a bus driver but the stress was starting to get to her so she shifted her life from Mississauga to Niagara with an eye to fulfill her job.

Starting with enrolling in the Niagara College’s one-year Baking & Pastry Arts program, she actually first opened her storefront as a student. COVID-19 came along and we all know how that went.

However, at the beginning of this month, the doors in downtown Niagara Falls were once again open and she admitted she could be happier.

“I was so eager to see customers (face-to-face) again,” she smiled. “Already some of my old customers have returned.”

When she opened the first time, she said on her website, “With determination, courage and willpower, I am now the queen of my domain.”

It just turns out she simply needed a second coronation.

As well as the rum-infused cakes, she also bakes bite-size tropical cheesecake cupcakes that look beyond delicious, as well as bundt cakes, cinnamon buns, Jamaican patties and Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. “Our customers are greeted with exceptional customer service and an overwhelmingly delicious smell of freshly baked treats that no one can resist.”

The bakery is closed Sunday through Tuesday, open 11:30  a.m. to 4  p.m. on Wednesday and 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. To check out the goodies, look HERE.

Niagara Falls MP Tony Baldinelli, left, and Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati were happy to bring their respective  government’s best wishes when Christine Monfriese, right of the scissors, opened up Monfriese Rum Cakes on May 5. (Photo: Facebook)