DiBartolo Makeover Airs Monday on Cooking Channel

More than three months after its mysterious makeover slowed traffic to a crawl on Haddon Avenue, DiBartolo Bakery will get to tell the whole story behind its colorful renovation.

At 8 p.m. Monday night, the Cooking Channel broadcasts Save My Bakery, a reality television show featuring celebrity chef Kerry Vincent, the consultant behind the new look at DiBartolo.

After 44 years, the neighborhood cake shop traded in its maroon awnings for an updated pastel facade and new slogan reminiscent of a certain Elizabeth Gilbert memoir. 

Owner Mike DiBartolo said the change has been welcome.

"I’m excited about it," he told Patch. "I think it’s going to show what we are capable of doing, that we’ve been around for a long time, but we are able to make some changes."

Tradition in the execution of recipes is one thing, DiBartolo said, but when you've been in business since 1968, it's important to avoid becoming stagnant. 

"A different attitude, it’s going to help bring back some of the young people," he said. "Overall, I’m hoping people just come in and check us out again. 

"We’ve been changing things up, making new products to get with the times, so this just focused more on it," he said.

DiBartolo said the renovations aren't entirely complete inside the bakery, but that he's gotten only compliments on the physical changes. Although Vincent proposed a few additions to the menu that he's welcomed—towering layer cakes, cupcakes and mousses—some of her product critiques might not stick. 

"She wanted me to change a couple of things, like my rum flavoring," DiBartolo said. "I tried it; it’s OK, but it’s not mine. It’s not what my customers are used to. But I understand her point. I will do some stuff like that."

DiBartolo said he appreciated the critique—Vincent particularly enjoyed his pound cake, he said—but he's not sure he's going to be ready for any notes on his small-screen performance just yet.

"I guess it’ll be an awakening," DiBartolo said. "You never really look at yourself that much. 

"It’ll be interesting to say the least," he said.

The DiBartolo Bakery episode of Save My Bakery debuts on the Cooking Channel: Verizon FiOS channel 166 and Comcast channel 122. Repeats air Saturday at 11 p.m. and Sunday at 3 a.m. 

Seen the episode? Tried any of the new menu items? Tell us in the comments!