Peekskill's Homestyle Desserts Honored On State's Historic Registry

PEEKSKILL, NY — A Peekskill multi-generational family bakery was recently honored as a New York State historic business.

State Senator Pete Harckham, D-South Salem, said Homestyle Desserts on South Water Street was given the designation which is reserved for businesses that have been in operation for at least 50 years and contributed to their community's history.

Harckham said the long and continuing success of Homestyle Desserts is a reflection of the hard-working residents from the area it has served for more than five decades.

"With local businesses facing a variety of immense challenges," he said, "I was pleased to ensure that this much-loved bakery received state recognition for its sustained sweetness and excellence."

The founder of Homestyle Desserts, Rose Sanca, started her first bakery in 1969, focusing on, what were described as, legendary apple dumplings. It was originally located in Buchanan and was known as Dutch Mill Donuts.

She changed the name of the business in 1984 when she moved to its present location in Peekskill.

Sanca retired in 2015, passing the business on to her two children, Laura Timmons and Jason Elias.

Timmons said Homestyle Desserts has been a central part of her family for more than two generations, and she appreciates the recognition that Harckham has presented to them.

"My brother and I are happy to preserve the traditional aspects of the bakery while staying up-to-date and trying new things," she said.

New York State's Historic Business Preservation Registry was established in 2020 to commemorate the local businesses across the state that have helped to shape the history, heritage and identity of the communities they serve. The registry highlights businesses that have been in operation for at least 50 years.