Victor Guzman, a 49-year-old baker originally from the Dominican Republic, was brought to tears as customers swarmed his new Victor's Sweet Delights bakery in Liverpool city centre just minutes after the doors opened on Saturday. The second location, situated in Covent Garden behind the Pig and Whistle pub, drew a consistent queue by 11:10 am, reflecting the overwhelming demand that has characterized his business since launching his first shop on South Road, Waterloo.
Overwhelming Response from Customers
Guzman, who lives in Vauxhall, said the response has been beyond expectations. “To see all these beautiful people here, supporting me all year, it is very emotional,” he told the Liverpool Echo. “It makes you feel good because people respond to what you are making. They love it. When you see someone else and they never come back, that's not what you want. That is sad. But for me, it is emotional because they are all regulars, like family now. I interact with them everyday. It's passion and love.” The first bakery sold out daily, and after a feature in the Echo, demand became “even crazier,” according to Guzman. Customers began making TikTok videos about the bakery, with one amassing nearly 60,000 views.
Expansion and Family Legacy
Guzman’s journey into baking is deeply rooted in his family history. His father trained all his sons, and the family operates 14 bakeries throughout the Dominican Republic. “My family are all bakers, my father started it and he taught us all. It's been in my life all my life. My brothers, my son, my uncle, my nephew, it is what we all do,” he said. After moving to the UK in 2013 with two of his daughters, Guzman worked as head chef at Panoramic 34 for six years before launching his own venture. The new Covent Garden location offers handcrafted cakes, pastries, cheesecakes, tarts, coffee, and ice cream, mirroring the French-style homemade recipes that have become his trademark.
Managing Success and Future Plans
The popularity of the bakery has presented challenges. Guzman noted that they are “selling more than we are making,” forcing him to temporarily close the shop for four hours to replenish stock. “I had to put out an announcement [on social media] to let customers know we would be shutting the shop for four hours to make more desserts. When I said 'OK, we are ready to open again', there were people waiting within 15 minutes,” he explained. He enlisted the help of four other chefs to manage the non-stop queues that lasted for three weeks. Despite the stress, Guzman remains committed to his craft. “I never waste any food, there is never anything in the bin. I sell out every day, and to see that is a pure feeling, it makes you feel strong,” he said. He also expressed his love for Liverpool, stating, “When I first came, within minutes, I had made 20 friends. It is a lovely place. This is the first shop in Liverpool, but it definitely won't be the last.”
