Popular Huntington pastry shop celebrates 5th anniversary

Mimi Altaye and Voila Pastry & Cafe celebrated five years at the Huntington Station shopping center on Saturday.

Voila Pastry & Café — a specialty bakery and patisserie located in Huntington Station shopping center — celebrated its fifth anniversary Saturday with free cups of coffee for customers and the usual assortment of homemade pastries and baked goods.

Voila has quickly become a popular destination for its custom cakes, and has a loyal walk-in customer base from the Jefferson Manor and Fairhaven neighborhoods, as well as the surrounding Huntington area.

Owner and chef Mekdeswork “Mimi” Altaye said the five years have blown by.

“It went by so fast,” Altaye said, adding that she loves the Huntington area and has watched many families grow up there.

The Huntington Station shopping center has seen boom times in the last two years, with the addition of Bob & Edith’s diner, an animal hospital and multiple restaurants. Nearby residents said Voila’s popularity played a key role in attracting more customers to the center, and credit Altaye for giving back to the community.

“Chef Mimi has been a supporter of the community since day one, including making gracious donations to the Mount Eagle Elementary PTO,” said Chris Soule, chair of the Lee District Association of Civic Associations (LDACO), as well as past president of the Jefferson Manor Civic Association. “As the greater Huntington area continues to improve and come into its own, it’s nice to step back and celebrate those who helped spark this revitalization.”

Altaye — who became a pastry chef after working in financial management and taking time off to raise her kids — said her shop’s hours and offerings have evolved with the needs and tastes of her expanding clientele. In the beginning, she offered more mousses, but she switched to sponge cakes based on customer preference. She also has started offering more gluten-free and vegan options, as well as additional varieties of croissants.

One thing has remained consistent, however.

“Everything is made from scratch,” she said proudly.

Voila Pastry & Café is located at 5908 North Kings Highway. It’s open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday.

Phil Creed contributed reporting.