Happy Tart Closes Del Ray Doors Making Way for National Growth

ALEXANDRIA, VA – When Emma Cech found out she was gluten-intolerant, it was at first a major blow particularly because she was attending the Professional Pastry Arts program at L’Academie de Cuisine at the time. But as she states on her website, “When life gives you lemons, make lemon curd!”

In 2012, the Cech family made a deal on a little building tucked behind another building on Mount Vernon Avenue, in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, Virginia, and the gluten-free bakery called The Happy Tart was born.

The bakery was quickly the talk of the town just when national awareness about gluten-free diets was blowing up nationwide. The timing was right, and so was the hip neighborhood.

Within a few years, The Happy Tart expanded into a second location in Falls Church, right on the main drag, where business boomed.

In a statement released today, owner Emma Cech let the Alexandria community know that the Del Ray location, which has been closed since December 29, 2018 will not be re-opening.  She wrote, “After much soul searching, we have decided to close the Del Ray location – effective immediately. We have loved every minute of our time in Del Ray – however – The Happy Tart is moving in a new direction and we need to consolidate our resources.

In the next few months The Happy Tart will begin to ship our breads and pastries nationally. Selling through our own website, as well as Amazon and Etsy. We are very excited about this new venture and the possibility of providing Happy Tart treats to people who are not in this direct area.