In the heart of the Lakewood community is KB Confections—a bakery started by a welcoming group of women who built the business from the ground up. Having been open for 20 years, Karen Bosworth dreamed of opening a storefront after running a home-based business. In 2012, that dream came true. Wanting to show the community the love she puts into her work, the treats–including cakes, pastries, and seasonal items such as bars, cookies, and cupcakes–are made fresh daily. The bakery also has a passion for decorating wedding cakes.
It began with a family recipe and a big dream. Starting from her house, she now owns her very own bakery in the heart of Lakewood, Ohio. Today, Bosworth brings the same homemade love to every pastry she makes, along with her endless effort, hard work and attention to detail.
Starting from the love of her home, Bosworth said, “Most of my recipes came from my family: my mom, grandma, and aunt.” Generation after generation, she adds her own twist to everything she bakes today. She has many of her own recipes shared in her store, but she also shares her family recipes for others to enjoy.
KB Confection offers indoor and outdoor seating for customers to sit and enjoy a sweet treat or a cup of coffee, creating a welcoming environment. Lakewood High School student Gabriela “Gaby” Carroll-Greeves said, “With the inviting atmosphere, it is great to do homework, meet up with a friend, or have a quiet place to sit.” KB Confections welcomes everyone with open arms, sharing its pastries with the community.
Bosworth put in a lot of work to renovate the store into a place where she can welcome many people. When you walk inside, the interior feels like a cozy bakery, with a smell that brings joy to every child’s face.
Carroll-Greeves said, “The cupcakes are very nostalgic for me. My mom would take me and my sister after school to get a treat.” KB Confections offers a place to build childhood memories and share them with loved ones.
Willow Trapp, an employee at KB Confections, shared her experience working in the bakery. Trapp said, “My favorite task is working in the kitchen….I enjoy assembling the cassette cakes or doing miscellaneous tasks,” she said. As a high school student, Trapp has enjoyed working at KB Confections, helping out where she could when needed.
Trapp also gets to enjoy the pastries. “Some of my favorites include the Milky Way cupcake, raspberry-almond macarons, and the cinnamon rolls,” she said.
KB Confections offers a variety of sweet treats at a reasonable prices. “The macarons are very good. They are always consistent and affordable,” Carroll-Greeves said.
The bakery features different flavors, such as birthday cake, s’mores, and the classic vanilla bean, which is a customer favorite. They also create new flavors and change them based on the season. Additionally, they sell cakes, cupcakes, and cookies that can be made gluten-free and vegan.
Living in a community like Lakewood, Bosworth enjoys building relationships with her customers. Bosworth said, “Hearing from customers who say our bakery has become [a] part of their family traditions–whether it’s someone who stops in every morning for coffee or a family who orders the same cake every year.”
Trapp said, “Lakewood is full of unique coffee shops, stores, and restaurants. KB’s quality and character attract customers who are looking to celebrate any type of occasion with a sweet treat.”
Bosworth built the bakery from the ground up, showcasing impressive decorating skills and making Lakewood residents happy. Her passion for baking, combined with her ability to share her craft with others, has made it so she can live out her dream with her family by her side.
Lakewood’s community is built on small businesses, and KB Confections is an important part of that. It has become a place for people to create lasting traditions in a business centered around dedication and hard work.
