Before Alice Garner launched her home-based bakery business, she often donated desserts to local schools, churches, and other organizations. But she’s about to launch her own shop in the Augusta Mall.
Garner, owner of Garner’s Sweet Dreams, will celebrate the grand opening of her storefront soon. It’s a free-standing shop located on the lower level of the mall between Macy’s and Bath and Body Works.
At the grand opening, she’ll have ribbon-cutting, free samples, and raffles. Garner also plans to accept donations for the Macedonia Church of Grovetown’s food pantry. Attendees can donate either money or food, such as canned goods.
She primarily sells cupcakes, but she also offers a variety of desserts, including brownies, cakes, cookies, and chocolate-covered Oreos. Garner also offers cupcake jars, which contain two cupcakes. Garner has a website and ships many of her desserts, except cakes and cupcakes.
“I love baking and letting people try different things,” she said.
Long before Garner went into business in August 2019, she began baking desserts for others. Garner served in the U.S. Army for a little more than 10 years and often served her treats for a variety of occasions at work, including promotions, going-away parties, and baby showers.
She medically retired from the military and took a civilian job with the U.S. Department of Defense. Garner left that job to focus more attention on the business and enrolled in a culinary program at Helms College. On Wednesday, she graduated from that program.
Garner’s Sweet Dreams is a family business. Her husband, Jeffrey, will work at the cash register. The couple has eight children, and the older ones will also help with the business.
“I want the kids to take over and keep it a family business,” Garner said.
As the business grows, she plans to hire more employees.
Garner was able to launch her business with help from Brookfield Properties, the company that owns the Augusta Mall, and its program called Partner to Empower. The program helps minority-owned businesses get off the ground by providing training, funding, and other resources.
She had her choice of various malls owned by Brookfield, but she chose the Augusta Mall because it’s much closer to home than the others.
Like many new business owners, Garner is nervous about opening her bakery.
“I’m excited I’ve come this far with my business, and I have my own location,” she said. “I never thought I would get this far.”
For the first few weeks, Garner plans to adhere to the mall’s hours of operation, which are Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information, visit garnerssweetdreams.com or call 478-258-4551.
