Another Bakery in Town? Take a Closer Look

Another Bakery in Town? Take a Closer Look

Tuesday, 26 April 2011 14:41

Last Updated: Tuesday, 26 April 2011 14:47

Published: Tuesday, 26 April 2011 14:41

kallistecake If you’ve been over to Freightway lately you may have noticed a new shop tucked into the side street next to Classy Consignments. Look too fast at the cupcakes and chocolate torte in the window and you’ll assume that Scarsdale is now home to another bakery. But upon closer inspection you’ll notice that the cake in the window is actually made of soap, and that Kalliste is new organic bath and beauty products store.

You’ve heard about artisanal cheese – but how about handcrafted soap? Shop owner Marie Labropoulos makes all the beautiful soaps that she sells in a her workspace in Irvington. A civil engineer she began experimenting with the soap making process when she lived in Long Island City. Friends were so impressed with her creative gifts that they encouraged her to sell her products and she began an online business and also made the products available at several gift shops in the East Village. She recently got married and moved to Westchester and saw an opportunity to open a retail store …. and that’s what brings her to Scarsdale.

Labropoulos grew up in Greece and uses olive oil as the base for her colorful and unusual soaps that include herbs, kallistemarie coconut and macadamia nut oil and all natural ingredients. She explains that most of the FDA- approved soap used in the United States contains chemical detergents that strip the oil from the skin. Her products balance, hydrate and protect the skin, and her lovely complexion is the result.

The soap she crafts is formed into bars or circular cakes that take up to four weeks to cure and the bars she slices look good enough to eat. They come in appetizing flavors like coffee, orange spice, lavender, tea tree and cherry. She also makes vegan lip balm, and a scrub from Dead Sea salts that lubricates without being sticky or slimy.

kallistecherry A woman of many talents, Labropoulos designed her new shop herself – and it is inviting, colorful and fun. If you stop by, she’ll even serve you a cup of herbal tea. A typical bar of soap will run you about $6.00 and she’ll wrap up your purchases in attractive recycled paper and adorn the package with a bright orange bow.