As general manager, Ayca, who says she enjoys cooking more than baking, spent 10 years working on Wall Street and volunteering in various nonprofits and organizations honing her skills in management, financial, budget and human resources.
in and out through the day: visitors grab breakfast gourmet coffee and croissants on the way to work; lunching diners pick up a quiche or sandwich; students stop in for an afterschool treat; and then customers pick up bread and pastries on the way home for dinner.
Zeynep’s husband, also in finance, added some advice and Ayca’s husband, who has his own design firm in New York City, designed the Antoinette Boulangerie logo, all of their marketing materials and the website. They named the bakery Marie Antoinette, after the notorious queen of France, and it’s proved to be a popular and memorable name.
Ayca estimates half of their business is made up of walkin customers. In addition, they supply delectable goods to area restaurants and country clubs. They also spend much of their time and talent catering events, including weddings, birthday parties, christenings and more.
“We were interested in the Red Bank area,” said Ayca, who now lives in Atlantic Highlands. “We loved the scenery, the theater – and especially the people. We knew from the beginning there’s potential here, I think we complement what Red Bank has been trying to do. And we have definitely raised the bar.” Housed on the ground floor of the former Red Bank Borough Hall on Monmouth Street, the space was retrofitted and decorated like a French patisserie. Although it’s only been open two years, Antoinette Boulangerie is a bustling business, with 15 employees. With a loyal customer base, patrons can be found trickling
Wedding cakes, especially, are extremely popular as Zeynep, who has twin 7-yearold daughters and lives in Rumson, creates originally designed wedding and custom cakes. Throughout the year, the artisans of Antoinette Boulangerie fill the confectionary needs of area residents for holidays, including Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and especially the chocolate-dipped strawberries and heart-shaped treats for the ever-popular Valentine’s Day. “It’s been an exciting journey,” said Ayca of finding a home for Antoinette Boulangerie in Red Bank. “I see the positive side of living in a small town like Red Bank. Among the shop owners, we all know each other and we can help each other out. We’ve always felt really welcome in Red Bank.”
19