Just a few days ago, Caleb Orellana, owner and baker of Cal’s Bakeshop, announced that he was closing his cottage bakery sometime in 2025. Hearts were broken. Folks on social media (including us at Tucson Foodie) couldn’t believe it. However, it all had to do with the wording of the post.
So, he’s closing this cottage bakery operations but he’s opening his very first brick-and-mortar location at 2707 E. Broadway Blvd. — the iconic building Rocco’s Little Chicago operated out of for more than 25 years.
There’s no exact opening date just yet for Cal’s Bakeshop, but it’s exciting to know another beloved local business is going to keep the building alive on Broadway Boulevard, just next to Z Street. In the video, Anthony “Rocco” DiGrazia takes a break from watering the plants in front of the former Rocco’s to toss Orellana the keys — “You ready? Let’s do this,” he says to him.
You can check out the passing of the torch on Instagram.
“So let me explain,” said Orellana. “Cal’s bake shop isn’t actually closing. I’m just at a point where I can expand beyond the cottage bakery. It’s crazy to think that I’m at this point now when two years ago, I was taking a two-month-long break due to me being overworked — I was tired, I didn’t sleep. I lost the passion that I had for baking. I was unsure if I was even coming back to it. Luckily, within those two months, I found the love again. I started baking again, and I just didn’t stop. It’s scary and exciting to know that it’s time to let go of working for my home and step into the new path of opening up a brick-and-mortar.”
Learn more about Cal’s Bakeshop in Rita Connelly’s July 2022 article, “The Sweet Journey.”
Cal’s Bakeshop has plans to move into the former Rocco’s Little Chicago location at 2707 E. Broadway Blvd. To keep up with the latest, follow Cal’s Bakeshop on Instagram.
Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
