Bites Nearby: Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth at Take a Brake Bakery

Take a Brake Bakery, located at 101 West Rd. in Vernon, may be a small space—more than four or five customers in the store at the same time requires careful navigation – yet, it offers up big taste that makes a wait in line more than well worth it.

When it opened early January, co-owners Larry Denorio and Tim John initially thought the space would be used as a hub to bake cupcakes and pies for their mobile trucks. As its popularity grew, the men have since decided to open the bakery to the public.

Take a Brake offers cupcakes, cookies and doughnuts on a daily basis. Denorio said that the red velvet and chocolate with peanut butter filling cupcakes are the best sellers.  

The Vernon Sour cream doughnut is a local favorite and is offered daily. "The doughnut was offered at Boston Bakery which closed its doors a while back,” said Denorio. “I wanted to keep the doughnut available to the locals who enjoyed them over the years.”  

Although flavors change periodically, individual slices of pie and cheesecakes are available everyday.

Beginning Super Bowl weekend, Take a Brake also started selling homemade breads on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Bread comes in several varieties including Italian, focaccia and multigrain. John suggests heating the bread before serving so it is warm and crunchy.

A unique concept offered only at Take a Brake is the monster apple pie. A whole pie contains 5 lbs of apples and has huge appeal. "Customers should be on the look out for monster pizza pie slices in the future," Denorio said.

The bakery is usually open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Before heading over, it is best to check their Web site or call 860-692-2270.