From Specialty Market to Wine-and-Cake Destination Moody's Market, which opened as a multi-concept specialty shop in August 2025, is shifting its focus this November to become Moody's Cake & Wine. Co-owners Mollie Mettelka and Melissa Korth identified custom cake orders, online retail, and curated wines as the location's strongest performers and are betting the neighborhood wants a dedicated space around those categories. The shop, located at 2755 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago's Avondale neighborhood, will combine Mettelka's pastry background with Korth's hospitality expertise. The new model expands production capacity for custom orders and carves out space for private events while streamlining the everyday retail experience.
The Thursday Happy Hour The concept's signature offering is a Cake & Wine Happy Hour held every Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m., priced at $13. Customers can pair a slice of the day's featured cake with a hand-selected house red or white wine, with non-alcoholic options also available. "We've always believed that the best experiences happen when people come together over something they love," said Mettelka and Korth. "For us, that's cake and wine. We wanted to create a space where guests can stop for a slice, discover a new bottle or simply spend time with friends. Moody's Cake & Wine is truly a reflection of what our community has helped us become."
Cake Menu and Wine Selection The rotating dessert lineup includes house-made cakes and pastries available by the slice, whole cakes, or custom order. A signature European-inspired Carrot Cake anchors the menu, alongside offerings such as Salted Caramel Tiramisu, Chocolate Mousse, and gluten-free options. The wine program features curated bottles across varietals and price points, with rotating house selections. Moody's also offers a Wine Club with monthly curated packages and specialty selections.
Events and Programming Private event rentals are available during weekdays and weekends for birthdays, celebrations, and community gatherings. The space will host pastry decorating workshops and guided wine tastings, plus monthly wine tastings, live music nights, and seasonal events. Holiday programming is planned for November and December, with special gift card promotions and Small Business Saturday discounts. Storefront hours are Thursday through Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m., with online ordering available for cakes, pastries, and desserts. Custom cake orders require preorder pickup by appointment outside regular hours.
Why It Matters
The pivot reflects a trend among independent retailers: narrowing focus to double down on the categories that drive traffic and loyalty. By concentrating on house-made desserts and a curated wine selection, Moody's positions itself as a neighborhood gathering spot rather than a generalist specialty market—a model that can drive higher margins and stronger community connection.
For more insights and trends in the food and beverage sector, check out more articles in The Food & Beverage Magazine family of publications.
Written by FBM Publications Editors
Frequently Asked Questions
What drove Moody's Market to abandon its original multi-concept model after just three months?
Custom cake orders, online retail, and wine sales were significantly outperforming other categories. Mettelka and Korth made the data-driven call to double down on what worked rather than dilute the concept across multiple weak performers.
What's the Thursday Happy Hour pricing and what does it include?
$13 gets customers a cake slice paired with a hand-selected house red or white wine, plus non-alcoholic options. It runs 5 to 7 p.m. every Thursday and is positioned as the concept's signature driver for traffic.
How is Moody's Cake & Wine structured operationally to support both retail and custom orders?
The pivot expanded production capacity for custom cakes while carving out dedicated private event space. The streamlined retail model eliminates slow-moving SKUs, letting the kitchen focus on made-to-order and whole-cake revenue streams.
What's the core cake menu, and does Moody's offer dietary accommodations?
The European-inspired Carrot Cake anchors a rotating lineup including Salted Caramel Tiramisu and Chocolate Mousse, with gluten-free options built in. Slices, whole cakes, and full custom orders are all available.
Who are the owners and what expertise do they bring to this concept?
Co-owners Mollie Mettelka brings pastry expertise and Melissa Korth brings hospitality management experience. That combination drives both the production side and the curated wine program with rotating house selections across varietals and price points.
