Prohibition Pastries -- New Bakery with a Twist

Klara and Steve Awodey

​Eliza Bowman has wanted to have her own bakery since she and a friend dreamed up the idea in college. So after working for a while as an administrative assistant, she went back to school at CCAC to learn small business administration.  She started up Eliza’s Oven in the now defunct Public Market in the Strip in order to learn the ropes of baking as a business. Later, when Jim’s Barber Shop on Reynolds Street closed and that space became available, she knew the time was right for a new bakery in Point Breeze.  After lengthy renovations, the new shop finally opened last week.  Just two blocks from her house, it’s right next door to the neighborhood’s anchor, the beloved Frick Park Market, assuring a steady stream of curious visitors in the first few days.

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Prohibition Pastries uses only locally made alcohols like beer, wine, whiskey, etc., in its pastries and breads to enhance the flavors.  “The alcohol burns off, but it acts as a vehicle for the flavors, like the vanilla in usual recipes,” says Eliza.  Her favorites include the barleywine pretzels and olive and wine bread.  She also loves pies, both sweet and savory, which will be added soon to the assortment of items already available.  

The recipes are Eliza’s own, sometimes coming to mind when she tastes something new.  “Half the joy of having your own bakery is coming up with new recipes,” she said. “You can use your own creativity to come up with new things, instead of having to make the same three or four things over and over, like I did when I worked for a caterer.”  All of the delicious baked goods available at the bakery are made on site with just three KitchenAid mixers and two small ovens.

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Eliza moved to Pittsburgh about six years ago from New York City, but she grew up in New Hampshire and Seattle, Washington.  She’s been a Breezer for a little over a year, happily living on Card Lane, just a scone’s throw from the realization of her dream.

Prohibition Pastries is located at 7105 Reynolds Street and is open 7 am to 7 pm, Monday through Friday, and 10 am to 3 pm Saturday and Sunday; the bakery is also available for catering.  Eliza can be reached at (412) 242-3300 or by email at eliza@prohibitionpastries.com. Read more about Eliza, her bakery dreams, and the goodies she offers at her website, www.prohibitionpastries.com.

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Klara and Steve Awodey are a father-daughter writing team living in Point Breeze.  They can be reached at awodey@cmu.edu.