Aromë French Pastry Shop Opens With Grace, Glacé And Grand Dreams

HASTINGS-ON-HUDSON, NY — There is a story behind the village's newest business that is almost as satisfying as the freshly baked French pastries in the display case — almost.

World-renowned pastry chef, Vera Gjelaj, from the "One if by land, Two if by Sea" restaurant in Manhattan, who was trained at L’Ecole New York, is opening a French pastry shop called Aromë Caffé & Patisserie in Hastings-on-Hudson on Thursday.

Gjelaj began her American dream as an Albanian immigrant with big ambitions. She recounts migrating from Montenegro to New York in the '80s at an early age, with just a backpack, a few dollars in her pocket, a child in tow and one on the way. Gjelaj raised her children on her own in New York and put herself through beauty school, working as a house cleaner, while building a culinary reputation in Westchester alongside her family.

She worked at "Ciao" in Eastchester in the early '90s with her brother Zef Gjelaj, the owner, where she says she received "the best foundation: life experience." While building her culinary skills and working in a hair salon, Gjelaj raised enough money to take over Salon Chou Chou in Hastings-on-Hudson, becoming a business owner and making her next dream come true.

She then went to pastry school at night, at L’Ecole New York, while running her salon, never taking her eyes off her next dream of being a pastry chef. With this goal in mind, Gjelaj worked and trained with Antonio Bachour, Karim Bourgi, Gianulca Fusto, Nicolas Botomisiy, Sabrina Mancin, all over the world, including Dubai, Milan and Paris.

Years of passionate hard work led to her going into business with her brother. Together, they purchased Manhattan's "One if by Land, Two if by Sea," known as one of the most romantic restaurants in the world, where she became the owner and executive pastry chef for the next decade.

After this enviable success, Gjelaj knew it was time to move on and have a French pastry shop of her own.

She says that after coming to Hastings-on-Hudson in 2000, she fell in love with the community and the way in which everyone embraced her when she arrived. From her humble beginnings working at the local Salon Chou Chou to becoming a business owner, first of Chou Chou, and now as the proprietor of Aromë, she says she built up the courage and received the support to make her dreams a reality, thanks in part to her adopted Hudson River town community. Gjelaj says she is looking forward to serving the community that she loves by hiring local staff, and creating a warm, inviting, and delicious gathering place.

A Grand Opening celebration will take place on Thursday, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with Mayor Nicola Armacost cutting the ribbon at 3:30 p.m.

Aromë invites everyone to stop in for a cup of coffee, a French dessert, gelatos and French savories, all in an upscale setting right along Main Street in downtown Hastings-on-Hudson.

The pastry shop will offer cozy and welcoming décor, featuring bright white tables that seat up to 20 guests, and fine art on the walls.

Aromë Caffé & Patisserie is located at 10 Main Street, in Hastings-on-Hudson. It is open daily, from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.