Jill Holtermann, owner of Holtermann’s Bakery on Staten Island, said the store couldn’t fulfill Whoopi Goldberg’s birthday order due to a boiler issue.
Goldberg requested 50 Charlotte Russe desserts for the November 6th broadcast and also for the November 13th broadcast to celebrate her 69th birthday.
“I said to Whoopi, ‘I can’t do it right now,” Holtermann told Entertainment Weekly. “We have so many things going on with my boiler,’ because the building is from 1930, so, when she called me, I had no idea [if we could] be baking everything.”
Holtermann did not “want to make a commitment that I can’t carry through.”
The bakery managed to fulfill the order on November 13.
That didn’t stop Goldberg from pitching a fit. Yeah, she whined even though the bakery made the desserts.
Goldberg blamed the bakery, which is New York state’s oldest bakery, for denying her order over her leftist views:
In the closing moments of Wednesday’s live episode, Goldberg celebrated her 69th birthday by sharing Charlotte Russe desserts with her cohosts.”My birthday dessert today was one of my mom’s favorites from when she was a kid, she talked about these all the time, they’re called Charlotte Russe. It’s a sponge cake with whipped cream and a cherry on top. I should tell you, Charlotte Russe has no political leanings. The place that made these refused to make them for me,” Goldberg said, prompting panelist Sara Haines to spit out the dessert live on the air.”No, let me explain,” Goldberg continued. “They said that their ovens had gone down, but folks went and got them anyway, which is why I’m not telling you who made them. It’s not… because I’m a woman, but perhaps they did not like my politics. But, that’s okay, because you know what, listen, this is my mother’s celebration. Pick these up and celebrate with me and my mom. Thank you everyone for celebrating my birthday today.”
What a self-centered and bitter woman. Good Lord.
Goldberg’s comments have caused such a hassle that Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella and Holtermann held a press conference today.
“It’s been here 145 years,” said Fossella. “They had a boiler that was 60 or 70 years old. And the first week in November, guess what? It went on the fritz.”
Has Goldberg ever worked in a bakery? I have. It wasn’t in an old building like Holtermann’s but man…you go into over cautious mode when something breaks down because you don’t want to make those commitments, especially for special occasions.
Also, Goldberg, the bakery fulfilled your stupid order. The bakery made your desserts, and you still dragged her through the mud with a lie.
Thankfully, the community came out and supported Holtermann’s Bakery:
“I think it’s ridiculous. Why would she come all the way to Staten Island for her cupcake? To make an issue? They’ve been here forever,” Deborah Bernaz, 68, said of the comic’s claims against the beloved 145-year-old Holtermann’s Bakery on Staten Island.“I don’t think it has anything to do with politics. They’re a little Staten Island bakery. I think it’s bulls–t what she’s saying. Leave politics out of the bakery.”
Bernaz and her daughter Andrea have been loyal customers for over 40 years.
Customer Lucy D’Amato told The New York Post, “I’m not going to get into detail, but she’s [Goldberg] not a nice person.”
The spat made an unnamed teacher visit and give Holtermann’s Bakery her business by purchasing vanilla cupcakes: “I read she tried to order stuff and made a comment that she didn’t get served because of her political stance. That’s disgusting. Unbelievable, give me a break.”
The outpouring of support touched Holtermann.
“I’m so overwhelmed by the support between finding out yesterday, this even happened, getting phone calls and then people coming in and people from all over just supporting us in every way,” Holtermann told the public. “We had phone calls yesterday from Alabama. Guys, I’m going to give you $50, send it to a school, send them donuts, send them cupcakes. The support has been so overwhelming, and I know how hard my family has worked to keep this business alive.”
Holtermann’s Bakery has been in business since 1878. From its Facebook page:
At Holtermann’s, we are focused on providing fresh, delicious, baked goods. We are the oldest family based bakery on Staten Island, since 1878.Our beginnings started in the Treasure House in Historic Richmond Town by Claus Holtermann, delivering bread to neighbors on foot. Many families remember our orange bakery trucks stopping at their houses providing sweet treats to the community.That’s 137 years of baking experience, knowledge and producing enjoyably classic treats for all ages.Our baked goods have been enjoyed by many Staten Island families for generations, and has become a tradition for many households.The family business continues to follow the same baking techniques using many of the traditional machines that were used when the business first opened. The bakery is now under the management of Bill and Jeff Holtermann, who are the 4th generation of family owners.We make everyday classics such as crumb cakes, doughnuts, cupcakes, breads, rolls, danishes, Charlotte Rouse, muffins, cakes, cookies and much more. We also provide and special orders and gift baskets.
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