Like many people who were stuck at home, Leydis Rodriguez took up baking during the COVID-19 pandemic. But unlike most, Rodriguez turned out to be really good at it.

Her hobby led to the opening of Pinnamel Sweet Bakery inside Shiraz Mediterranean Grill in the Holiday Manor shopping center in 2022.

The pastry business was initially dedicated to making small cakes for birthdays and basic Cuban pastries, but it expanded to include French influences along with tropical and regional flavors.

“When Covid was beginning, I stayed home and learned to do it like a hobby,” Rodriguez said. “But I always liked to cook, so I understood flavors.”

Pinnamel Sweet offers cakes, tarts, choux pastries, truffles, and macarons. On June 7, the bakery opened a second location at 3110 Frankfort Ave., next to Crescent Haircraft in Crescent Hill. The space previously housed Annie May’s Sweet Cafe, which closed in 2024.

Rodriguez worked with Raphael Collazo of Summit Commercial Group to find the new location. The property is owned by Frank Family Properties LLC, according to Jefferson County Property Valuation Administrator records.

The first time Louisville Business First stopped by the Frankfort Avenue location to interview Rodriguez, the discussion had to be rescheduled — Pinnamel Sweet was so crowded I couldn’t get in the door.

Even the owner is surprised by the success of the new bakery. Rodriguez said she’s had to move all seven of her employees to the Frankfort Avenue location to handle the volume.

“The first bakery, it is inside a small place. It was my mother and I only,” Rodriguez said. “This one is crazy right now. I closed the first location because I wasn’t prepared for it. Maybe next week, I can open the other place.”

To access the LBF article, click here:

https://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/news/2025/07/30/pinnamel-sweet-bakery-expands-to-frankfort-avenue.html