Cakes and Chinese food served up in the new Village Square
By Nora Cardec Journal Correspondent

Mark Ljungberg and Lori Petricca of Lilly's Bakery are eager to sweeten Westminster residents' palates at the new Village Square. Journal Photos/Nora Cardec

The old axiom, "If you build it, they'll come" has proven true, at least as far as occupancy in the new Village Square business strip is concerned.

So far, all but one of the spaces on the newly constructed building, located behind Joseph's Bistro, has been taken.

The Angler Fish Market and Chowder Co., as well as Yang's Kitchen II - a Chinese food take-out - are now open.

Mark Ljungberg, owner of Lilly's Bakery at 2 Village Square, said he hopes to open this weekend, pending a final permit.

Ljungberg, a graduate of Johnson & Wales University, started his business in Holden, close to three years ago. The baker said he wanted a bigger space and better location and found just the right spot at the Village Square.

With his partner Lori Petricca and a couple of high-school students as helpers, Ljungberg said he can't wait to start satisfying the baking needs of the town.

"I want to supply the local townspeople with the best cakes, breads and other sweets. I can't wait to get set up," said Ljungberg.

Lilly's co-owner, Lori Petricca, makes a variety of wedding cakes.

Among the many offerings, Lilly's Bakery will carry daily fresh-baked bread, brownies, cookies, breakfast pastries, pies, tortes, turnovers and an assortment of fruit-filled pastries.

Specialty cakes will include lemon cream cake, strawberry cream cake, honey-almond-walnut-pecan square, Reese's peanut butter pie, mocha madness cake and turtle-cheesecake, which includes pecans, caramel and chocolate drizzle.

Regular and flavored coffee, as well as hot chocolate and tea will also be available.

Ljungberg will do all the baking, with the exception of the wedding cakes, which are Petricca's forte.

"I'm the wedding cake consultant," said Petricca. "I do all the cakes and meet with the bride and groom to design their wedding cake, and provide them with the tasting of the filling and the frosting for their cake."

Ljungberg and Petricca have been busy setting up and taking care of every detail from the color of the walls, the accessories and window swags to the bread rack and the large glass display.

But ever since the business sign went up, people have been stopping by ready to place their orders.

"We've had so many people stopping in wanting to know when we'll open," she said.

Song Yang, manager of Yang's Kitchen II said he chose Village Square to open his second take-out restaurant because he likes the tranquility of the town. The first Yang's Kitchen is located in Rutland.

Song Yang's father, Xie Yang actually owns both businesses but Song Yang said he will manage the one in Westminster while his wife manages the one in Rutland.

Other businesses on the Village strip, which are at different stages of readiness, include Allure Salon and Spa, Beyond Petal's, Azzure Spa, and a more compact, yet contemporary Joseph's Bistro & Pub, which is expected to open within a couple of months.

Lilly's Bakery will be open Tuesday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Yang's Kitchen II will be open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on weekends.