By Kayla Johnson, Managing Editor
Located next to the movie theater in Mesa Riverview, Arizona Chimney Cakes is a family fantasy made to perfection, not just a dessert shop. Every treat at the shop, which is run by Chelsea, Devin, Wesley, and Farah, as well as their mother Janet, combines European tradition, inventiveness, and family affection.
The family’s first aim was to build a welcoming local coffee shop called Nana’s Coffee Café. However, everything fell into place when they happened upon an already-existing chimney cake business with a coffee bar adjacent. Janet said, “It wasn’t just like we said, let’s go do this.” “There were twists and turns, but it just made sense when we discovered chimney cakes with a coffee bar attached.”
For those who do not know, chimney cakes are a street confection from Romania and Hungary that is created from sweet dough that is wrapped around a rotisserie spit, roasted till golden, and then rolled with biscoff, sugar, or Oreos.
Devin describes them as “churro on the outside, donut in the middle,” with a crispy exterior and a soft interior. For a twist, they can be filled with ice cream or cream.
Every member of the family contributes something unique. Wesley, who moved from Washington to join full-time, manages social media, Chelsea and Devin oversee operations and sales, and Janet, the chief baker, makes everything from her famous S’mores cookies to banana loaves and brownies. Together, they have created a company that is driven by love, fun, and teamwork. “Hearing my sisters tell me I’m doing a good job makes me laugh,” Wesley stated. “It forces me to step outside of my comfort zone.”
Their brand’s core value, which stems from their heritage, is hospitality. The family tries to make every visitor feel welcome, from the seasonal décor to the way patrons are welcomed. “We want everyone who walks through these doors to feel like family,” Chelsea stated.
Their warmth has been acknowledged. AZ Chimney Cakes was swiftly welcomed by Mesa’s small business community, which gave them access to mentors, notoriety, and devoted clients who now travel from all across Arizona and beyond to purchase their favorite cones. Every trip, a Utah family stops by and orders their favorite Oreo Overloads along with extras to take home.
The girls and their mother are aiming even higher as they commemorate their first full year of operation. They intend to maintain their family-first philosophy while growing into other states, opening a food truck, and providing corporate catering. “Strategy is our main focus this year,” Chelsea stated. “Now that we have the dream, let’s move on.”
From their inventive taste experiments (imagine barbecue chip cones with coleslaw and chicken) to their changing seasonal menus, AZ Chimney Cakes is evidence that family, love, and a little bit of risk-taking can transform a straightforward dessert into a regional favorite and a delightful representation of community.
