By Hannah Barricks
Photos courtesy of Loft22
If you ever thought the cake business was soft and spongy, think again.
An inquisitive tourist needs only ask a Fort Worth native where to find the most delectable cakes in town, and they’ll likely direct them toward Loft22 Cakes in the Near Southside district. Its owner, Tareka Lofton, shares her journey of establishing herself there, the area’s inclusivity, and the sweat equity she spilled, creating much more than baked goods within the community.
Lofton opened the brick-and-mortar location of Loft22 Cakes in 2017. But her story began while studying at Le Cordon Bleu in Dallas when she first opened the bakery from her one-bedroom apartment in 2013 to cover expenses right after she graduated. In those early days, she practiced her skills with family and friends who were willing to taste her experiments.
It took years of honing her craft and building a loyal following on social media for Lofton to make the jump and sign the lease in Near Southside.
“It was a leap of faith, really,” she recalls. “It was scary at first. The neighborhood was under constant construction. I thought, ‘Nobody’s going to find us over here.’ But I knew we would be good, and my instincts were right.”
They were, and as Fort Worth’s Near Southside began to blossom, so did Loft22.
“We’ve grown alongside our neighbors,” she says. “I believe we were one of the first Black-owned bakeries in the area, and it’s played an important role in bringing diversity to Fort Worth’s culinary scene.”
Her business reached an impasse like many other fledglings during the pandemic when parties were canceled — orders dried up. Lofton relied on her creativity and innovative solutions to stay open.
“We started posting these cakes that looked like toilet paper rolls,” she laughs. “People were buying up toilet paper like it was going to save the world during that time. The cakes were our way of making people smile.”
The quirky cakes went viral — first locally, then nationally.
“The Today Show picked it up,” Lofton remembers. “I woke up the next day to nearly 1,000 orders from all over the country — New York, San Francisco, Las Vegas. We couldn’t ship then, but we hustled and cranked out 150 to 200 cakes a week. That’s how we made it through.”
The victory made Lofton feel invincible, but it’s not all modern, viral moments for the bakery. At its heart, Loft22 is a tribute to Lofton’s family, especially her grandmother, Sarah, who paved her way.
“She was a master baker in her own right,” Lofton says. “She didn’t go to culinary school but knew how to make everything. I have her rolling pin at the bakery to remind me of the legacy I’m carrying.”
Lofton’s mother, affectionately known as the mother of the bakery, works alongside her daughter, nieces and nephews in a team that feels like family to the owner.
“Our customers end up calling her Mama,” she says, smiling. “There’s just something about the atmosphere here that makes people feel at home.”
The location remains her creative hub, where Lofton incorporates abstract elements into her designs, finding new mediums to challenge herself with.
“We paint on cakes,” she exclaims. “We paint on buttercream. I’m always an artist first and love making people smile with my creations. It makes Loft22 stand out — we bring our full selves and creativity to every cake.”
So, it’s no surprise Lofton says connection inspires her.
“Food is memories,” she says. “Cake is there for birthdays, weddings and graduations, so I play a role in people’s biggest moments, and it’s fulfilling.”
For Lofton, the long hours are a part of her purpose.
“You’re offering a service, but when you go beyond that — when you pour into your community, when you inspire others — that’s when it really matters,” she says.
“That’s what Loft22 is about.”