Who: Everyone is invited!
What: Auntie Loo’s second birthday party
When: Oct. 15 and 16
Where: Auntie Loo’s Treats (507 Bronson Avenue), and Babylon (Bank Street, downtown Ottawa)

It’s a two-parter: On Saturday, Oct. 15, Auntie Loo will throw open the doors to her Bronson Avenue bakery between 10 am and 4 pm with lots of fun to be had. The Rideau Valley Roller Derby girls will be on hand to distribute free Auntie Loo goody samples will be available all day, and free samples from LUSH Byward Market will also be available. The cupcake photo booth will also return- get your photo taken inside or on top of a cupcake!

New this year: the Find Mattycakes human/social networking scavenger hunt with full-sized cakes to be won, as well as a fundraising vegan barbecue in support of local charity Westminster Pet Sanctuary, which is co-sponsered by The Table Vegetarian Restaurant.

The party continues on Sunday Oct. 16 at Babylon Night Club from 7 pm until 11 pm. For a $5 charge, audience members will be treated to the burlesque stylings of Miss Helvetica Bold (of Rockalily Burlesque) and Calamity Kitten, Rock n Roll courtesy of local band, Big Dick, Dream Pop courtesy of local band, Lipstick Lesbian, tunes by local DJ Skid Vicious, not to mention free Auntie Loo samples all night, prizes from great local businesses, and a full size cake will be up for grabs!  Proceeds from this special evening will benefit Westminster Pet Sanctuary.

“Thanks to community support, we have grown in leaps and bounds over the past two years, and we want to celebrate that! But it’s important to give back to the community, and to support those who are trying to do good.  Animals have a very special place in my heart, and Westminster cares for some of the very neediest,” says Amanda Lunan, aka Auntie Loo.

Auntie Loo’s is no ordinary bakery; it sells only vegan freshly-made baked goods, made with mostly organic ingredients.  It opened two years ago to serve its growing clientele, and business is booming. The bakery is a shining example of the success that can be had by local businesses that provide a quality, ethical product. While it may bear Auntie Loo’s name, it is truly a team effort, and she takes customer service seriously in a way you won’t find at a big box store.

“In my wildest dreams I never envisioned such amazingly beautiful wedding cakes, a devoted staff who I’m so lucky to have, and probably the nicest clients in the city.  I get emotional just thinking about it,” Auntie Loo says. “I want thank each and every one of my staff and customers for making it possible to do what I love, be with people I love, meet new people everyday and getting to work with the best business people in this city.”

The authour of this post would especially single out the insanely talented Miss Kate, Auntie Loo’s cake decorater, who also happens to have the world’s most ridiculous cat (pictured above).  Also, check out one of her cakes: