Bakery produces sweet treats but holds the sugar at Las Vegas shop
April 19, 2011 - 5:08 pm
Southwest Las Vegas business owner Janet Dietz may be sweet on confections, but dont expect the line of goodies she peddles at her store, Mrs. Williams Diabetic Delights, 3466 S. Decatur Blvd., to be loaded with sugar.
Dietz has been in business for 20 years and said the decades of dedication to her craft have provided positive results.
It really took a while to get in the groove of things, but it has paid off, she said.
Dietz said she first got the idea to open the store after watching what her diabetic husband and seizure-stricken son were being fed in the form of confections.
It was terrible, she said .
Dietz said she opened Mrs. Williams (her maiden name) with the idea that she could create sweets that wouldn t simply be tasty but also would sell.
I spent hours and days and weeks in the kitchen perfecting my recipes, she said. I finally did. Now, I would challenge anyone to put our foods up against those made with actual sugars. You cant tell the difference. Ours are just healthier and have less calories.
Dietz said she uses a variety of sugar substitutes in her baking, including honey and artificial sweeteners.
The store has become a weekly stop on the way home for Marcy Iscalue, who said she isnt diabetic but fancies the sugarless sweets as a part of a diet routine that has helped her to shed more than 30 pounds so far.
The great thing about these foods is that they are sort of guilt-free, she said. They dont taste like cardboard, which is the problem with so many sugar-free products. They all taste like youre eating something that should be used in packing supplies or something. That hasnt been the case with what Ive found here.
Iscalue said she is a fan of the stores eclairs, in particular.
I just think theyre great, she said.
The store features everything from cream puffs to cheesecakes and danishes to turnovers.
We also have a full line of chocolates and candies, Dietz added .
She said the baked goods are made on site daily. I pride myself on our foods being fresh, she said.
Pierce Brimhaul is a diabetic who said he had all but given up on finding sweet foods he could actually enjoy until his girlfriend discovered the store last year.
I stock up on stuff when I can, he said. Im always afraid this place is going to disappear.
Dietz said the shop also makes special diabetic-friendly birthday cakes.
That is a big deal for someone who is used to having to forgo something like that on their birthday, she said. We can make cakes for other special occasions, too, in a variety of flavors and fillings. Our slogan has never changed: S weet so you dont have to cheat.
Dietz said she doesnt have any grand plans for expanding or franchising the shop, although customers often make the suggestion.
Im happy here with what Im doing, she said. I feel like Im creating a service that is needed and appreciated. I love what I do. I have no idea why I would ever want to change a thing.
Contact Southwest and Spring Valley View reporter Amanda Donnelly at allewellyn@viewnews.com or 380-4535.