Modern Pastry Shop

What Modern Pastry Shop does

Modern Pastry Shop is a family-owned Italian bakery founded in 1930 by the Picariello family on Hanover Street in Boston's North End, Massachusetts. The company produces and sells a broad catalog of handcrafted Italian and American baked goods using traditional old-world techniques combined with newer recipe development, including European and Italian-style cakes (limoncello, tiramisu, bacio, rum baba), made-to-order cannoli with customizable shells and fillings, New York-style cheesecakes, Italian and American pies and tarts, Italian cookies, biscotti, torrone, breakfast pastries, and gluten-free/dairy-free specialty items. It operates two retail storefronts — the flagship Hanover Street bakery in Boston's North End and a secondary location in Medford, MA — and a wholly-owned adjacent restaurant concept called Modern Underground, which serves savory pub-style food, martinis, and hosts events and catering.

The business runs a direct-to-consumer go-to-market model with multiple revenue streams: in-store retail at both bakery locations, the Modern Underground restaurant and events venue, online ordering through a Shopify e-commerce storefront with local pickup, nationwide UPS 2-day shipping of shelf-stable cookies, torrone, and branded merchandise to the 48 contiguous U.S. states, and third-party delivery partnerships with DoorDash and GrubHub. Pricing is unit-based, ranging from $10 gift certificates up to ~$75 premium cookie trays and multi-serving cakes priced $36–$55, with custom and wedding cake orders requiring a 10% non-refundable deposit. Customer segments center on individual consumers buying for personal celebrations, walk-in retail and tourist traffic in the North End, event and corporate catering clients, and remote gift buyers served through the shipping channel. Marketing relies on the heritage brand, earned media (CBS The Talk, CBS Sports Serie A, NHL Winter Classic, Boston Globe, Eater Boston), Instagram, and email rather than performance or paid acquisition.

Name

Modern Pastry Shop

Legal name

Modern Pastry Shop

Website

https://modernpastry.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1930

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Modern Pastry Shop is a family-owned Italian bakery founded in 1930 in Boston's North End, producing handcrafted cakes, cannoli, cookies, and pastries for retail customers, event catering, and nationwide shipping through two storefronts and an adjacent restaurant.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Bakery

NAICS

Baked Goods Retailers (445291), Retail Bakeries (311811)

SIC

Retail-Eating Places (5812), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Bread & Pastry Specialty Stores (CRAHAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Retail Bakeries (Bread & Daily Bakery) (THAFAFAA), Cookie & Brownie Shops (THAFAGAF)

Keywords

• Italian bakery
• Custom cakes
• Artisan pastries
• Cannoli specialty
• Italian confections

Headquarters

HQ city

Boston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. In-Store Retail Sales: Direct retail sales of pastries, cakes, cookies, cannoli, and other baked goods at two physical locations in Boston's North End and Medford, MA.
2. Third-Party Delivery: Revenue from orders placed through DoorDash and GrubHub delivery platforms for local delivery to customers.
3. Nationwide Shipping: Shipping of cookies, confectionaries, apparel, and gift certificates to customers nationwide (48 contiguous states). Orders processed within 5-7 business days and shipped via UPS 2-day shipping.
4. Underground Restaurant: Savory food, beverages, martinis, and pub-style food served at the Modern Underground restaurant located below the bakery, with event hosting and catering capabilities.
5. Custom Cake Orders: Custom, wedding, and large cake orders with 10% non-refundable deposit requirement, available for local pickup with various size and filling options.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Modern Pastry Shop is a family-owned Italian bakery that manufactures and sells handcrafted Italian and American baked goods including European and American cakes, made-to-order cannoli, cheesecakes, pies and tarts, cookies and biscotti, torrone, and individual pastries. It operates two retail bakery locations in Massachusetts, a Shopify online store with nationwide shipping, third-party delivery through DoorDash and GrubHub, and a connected restaurant (Modern Underground) offering savory fare, drinks, and event catering.

Product overview

Modern Pastry Shop is a family-owned Italian bakery established in 1930 in Boston's North End, offering a diverse portfolio of traditional Italian and American pastries and baked goods. The core product lineup includes multi-layered cakes (European, Italian, and American styles), made-to-order cannoli with customizable shells and fillings, New York-style cheesecakes, classic pies and tarts, Italian cookies and torrone, and seasonal breakfast pastries. The company also operates the Modern Underground Restaurant beneath its North End location, offering savory dishes and martinis alongside the bakery's sweet offerings. Specialty dietary options including gluten-free and dairy-free products are available alongside branded merchandise and apparel. The company serves customers through two physical locations (Boston and Medford, MA) with delivery integration through DoorDash and GrubHub, and ships certain products nationally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Modern Underground: Savory restaurant and bar located below the North End bakery, offering pub-style food, martinis, cold drinks, and event catering services. Also hosts martini and cannoli classes for team-building and private events.

Products and services

• Cakes (European, American, Italian) Multi-layered cakes including Italian sponge cakes soaked in rum and liquors, European-style pastries, and American classics like carrot cake and red velvet. Available in various sizes from 6-8 servings to 85 servings, with pricing starting at $36.
• Cannoli Fresh-to-order cannoli with customizable shells (plain, chocolate dipped, chocolate covered, mini) and multiple filling options (traditional ricotta, vanilla custard, chocolate custard, whipped cream, chantilly cream). Toppings include chocolate chips, pistachios, and almonds. Gluten-free option available with plain shell and ricotta filling only.
• Cheesecakes New York-style cheesecakes including plain, chocolate covered, strawberry, pumpkin, and turtle varieties, priced at $55. Made with buttery graham cracker crusts and available by slice in-store.
• Pies and Tarts Classic pies including apple, pumpkin, pecan, blueberry, chocolate cream, and custard priced from $18 to $32.50. Italian-style tarts including ricotta pie, fruit tart, key lime tart, and apple tart.
• Cookies and Biscotti Italian butter cookies, macaroons (pistachio, almond amaretti with and without pignoli), French macarons, Florentine cookies, Biscotti (almond, chocolate dipped almond, anise), Pizzelle, rainbow/Petit Four cookies, and seasonal varieties. Anise Pizzelle at $8.50 per bag, butter cookie assortment at $17.50.
• Torrone Packages Traditional Italian torrone (soft nougat) made with almonds and honey, available in packages of 4, 6, or 8 pieces. Varieties include white traditional, all chocolate, chocolate covered, cappuccino, peanut butter, and caramel flavors. Packages priced from $34 to $64.
• Individual Pastries Individual pastries including black and white, bomba, chocolate ganache, chocolate mousse, cream puff, creme brulee, eclair, French horn, fruit tart, key lime tart, lemon square, limoncello, lobster tail, mocha mousse roll, napoleon, parigina, peanut butter crunch, ricotta pie, rum baba, rum savoy, sfogliatella, strawberry cheesecake, strawberry shortcake, tiramisu, triple chocolate, whoopie pie.
• Cupcakes Various cupcakes including vanilla with sprinkles, chocolate with sprinkles, Boston cupcake, chocolate peanut butter, flower cupcakes (chocolate and vanilla), hostess, and red velvet.
• Breakfast Pastries Morning items including plain croissant, muffins (blueberry, corn, cranberry walnut, pistachio), turnovers (apple, blueberry, raspberry), and twists (cinnamon, raspberry).
• Gluten-Free Cakes Gluten-free chocolate cake available with various frostings (buttercream, chocolate buttercream, whipped cream); some options also available as dairy-free.
• Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Products Specialty items for dietary restrictions including whoopie pie (GF & DF), chocolate chip cookie (GF & DF), coffee cake (GF & DF), and gluten-free cannoli with ricotta filling.
• Cookie Trays Assorted cookie trays available in 3 lb and 5 lb sizes including Italian macaroon cookies, almond biscotti (quaresimali), butter cookies, and gourmet cookie trays. Butter cookie tray from $67.50, gourmet cookie tray from $75.
• Gift Certificates Gift certificates available in various denominations starting at $10, for in-store use at either Boston or Medford locations.
• Apparel and Merchandise Branded clothing and gifts including t-shirts (gray logo, Italia, North End brick building), dad caps, hoodies, trucker hats, zip-up sweatshirts, and gift certificates.
• Modern Underground Restaurant Savory dining experience beneath the bakery offering cold drinks, martinis, and pub-style food. Features events, catering, and martini/cannoli classes for groups. Located at 263 Hanover St, Boston.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Lord Hobo BrewingminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 February 2024Collaborative partnership to create Tiramisu Stout beer - a craft beer featuring flavors inspired by Modern Pastry's famous tiramisu dessert.
• CBS Sports - Serie AminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2023Partnership hosting Serie A coverage in the North End, celebrating Italian culture and calcio, with CBS Sports commentator Marco Messina.
• CBS 'The Talk'minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 February 2023Appeared on CBS daytime television show 'The Talk' for a cannoli face-off competition against Bova's Bakery, which Modern Pastry won.
• NHL / Anna DuaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Featured with Anna Dua during NHL Winter Classic trip to Boston, representing the bakery on national sports media.
• DoorDashcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party delivery partnership allowing local customers to order Modern Pastry products for delivery through the DoorDash platform.
• GrubHubcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party delivery partnership allowing local customers to order Modern Pastry products for delivery through the GrubHub platform.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• King Arthur Baking Company: National baking brand offering retail products, baking supplies, and recipes with a strong e-commerce and educational content presence. Comparable in operating a multi-channel bakery business with shipping, though at a much larger scale.
• Magnolia Bakery: Established NYC-born bakery famous for cupcakes and banana pudding with retail locations and nationwide shipping. Comparable heritage-retail-bakery positioning and D2C shipping model.

Emerging players

• Crumbl Cookies: National franchise cookie brand with rotating menu, strong digital ordering, and nationwide shipping. Demonstrates the D2C cookie and shipping playbook that Modern Pastry's cookie and torrone business could emulate at scale.
• Levain Bakery: New York-based specialty cookie and pastry bakery that has scaled into a multi-location premium retail brand with strong national e-commerce and shipping. Comparable product line (cookies, pastries) and demonstrates the brand-extension playbook Modern Pastry could pursue.
• Tatte Bakery & Cafe: Boston-based specialty bakery and cafe that has scaled to multiple locations across the Northeast. Comparable European-influenced pastry assortment and Boston origin, but with broader cafe and breakfast positioning.

Direct peers

• Mike's Pastry: Iconic Italian pastry shop located steps from Modern Pastry on Hanover Street in Boston's North End. Direct competitor offering cannoli, Italian pastries, cakes, and cookies to walk-in tourist and local customers with comparable product mix and pricing.
• Cakes by Andrea: Custom cake and pastry shop in the Greater Boston area offering made-to-order cakes, cupcakes, and desserts. Competes with Modern Pastry in the celebration and custom-cake segment.
• Bova's Bakery: Long-standing Italian bakery in Boston's North End, also offering pastries, cakes, and Italian confections. Direct competitor explicitly benchmarked against Modern Pastry in the CBS 'The Talk' cannoli face-off competition.
• Maria's Pastry Shop: Family-owned Italian bakery in Boston's North End specializing in cannoli, Italian cookies, cakes, and pastries. Competes with Modern Pastry for the same walk-in tourist and Italian-American customer base on Hanover Street.

Regional players

• Modern Bread and Cake: Family-owned specialty bakery serving the Greater Boston area with European-style pastries, cakes, and desserts. Comparable business model to Modern Pastry though not located in the North End tourist corridor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/modernpastry
• Xx.com/modernpastryinc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Modern Pastry Shop