Since 2022 Paige Morgan, the founder of Memaw’s Cakes has been selling her product at local popups, farmers markets and various other outlets, but will soon be opening a storefront in Ottawa. Tinkess Photo

METCALFE – The warmth of a freshly baked cheesecake, creamy and aromatic, might evoke simple joy, but behind each handcrafted slice lies a story of resilience. Ontario’s cheesecake makers, especially small artisan shops like Memaw’s Cakes, embody the grit and determination small businesses need to survive in today’s economic landscape.

Small businesses are more than a footnote in Canada’s economy; they are its lifeblood. Nearly 98 per cent of Canadian businesses have fewer than 100 employees, and in Ontario alone, nearly 40 per cent of private-sector jobs are tied to these enterprises. Nationwide, small businesses employ about 47 per cent of private-sector workers, totalling over 5.7 million Canadians. These numbers underscore the vital role that niche food businesses, such as Memaw’s Cakes play in the social and economic fabric of Ontario.

Running a cheesecake business, any fresh food business for that matter, is fraught with pressures. Rising input costs: cream cheese, eggs, butter, sugar, have surged in recent years, challenging owners to balance quality with affordability. Statistics Canada reports 46.5 per cent of rural and small-town small businesses cite inflation as their top concern with supply-cost increases as their next biggest hurdle.

Based in Ottawa (and soon to open a storefront, so watch their website and Facebook for updates), but serving much of eastern Ontario through pop-ups, farmers markets, custom orders and mobile services, Memaw’s Cakes has been providing delicious dessert options since 2022. We spoke with the company’s founder, Paige Morgan recently at the Metcalfe Farmers Market.

“This was the first market that ever actually accepted me,” said Morgan. “Whenever I first started the business, I didn’t think anyone would buy anything, but my boyfriend got me a booth at a flea market in Ottawa, and we sold out. It was amazing, and he encouraged me to apply to farmers markets. All the ones in Ottawa were hard to get into, so I emailed the organizer at this market, and she accepted us right away.

“We came here our first day. We sold double what I did at that flea market, and I haven’t gone back since. We’re opening up our first storefront this year! I still try and come out here whenever I can.”

For the benefit of our readers, I sampled one of the triple chocolate cheesecakes, and I have trouble finding the words to describe how good it was (this is a problem for someone who makes their living with words), but would I recommend doing your own taste test? Definitely!

Here are a few facts about Memaw’s Cakes:

  • Mobile operation with broad reach: As a mobile cheesecake bakery, Memaw’s delivers to local spots in and within a 75 km radius of Ottawa and ships across Ontario.
  • Flavour innovation and quality commitment: From classic New York-style to adventurous flavours like Smores (featuring extra-thick graham crust, chocolate chunks, roasted marshmallow topping) and Triple Fudge, each is made without artificial flavours or colours, using locally grown ingredients.
  • Product offerings: They offer mini cheesecake packs for smaller cravings, along with four-inch specialty flavours, Lemon, Strawberry, Oreo, Triple Fudge, Wild Blueberry as well as larger custom cakes and bars.
  • Community presence: Their cheesecakes are available at local cafés like Cafe Bon Vivant in Russell, and at popular community markets and pop-ups throughout 2025—including Farm Boy pop-ups, Carp Farmers Market, markets in Navan, Orleans, Brockville, Kingston ArtFest, and more.

For any food business rising ingredient costs are always a concern and must be managed carefully, but never at the expense of product quality. It is, of course the product that attracts and maintains a loyal following.

You might wonder why, when prices seem to keep rising, why something like cheesecake matters. It’s quite simple.

Memaw’s Cakes exemplifies more than delicious dessert, it’s a story of family, craft, and community-building. These cheesecakes support local dairy suppliers, enliven regional marketplaces, and create jobs for newcomers, young entrepreneurs, and artisans, and they can be the source of great joy at any special event

In the swirl of economic pressures, investing in small-scale bakery business as Paige Morgan has is investing in eastern Ontario’s cultural richness and economic wellbeing. When a cheesecake bakery thrives, it’s not just about decadent desserts, it’s about empowering those who create their own livelihood, sustaining local economies, and preserving (and inventing) flavours that can connect us.

For more information on Memaw’s Cakes, you can visit their website at memawscakes.ca or follow them on Facebook or Instagram.

 

If you would like to have a light shined on your business, please contact us at: editor@etceterapublications.ca or call us at 613-448-2321.