By Carol P. Bartold     

Dec. 14, 2016:  A passion for cooking and the finer things in life attracted Joern Tittel to the food and wine industry. Tittel and his wife, Michelle, through their holding company Thatcher Food Holdings, have acquired Topps Bakery on Pondfield Road. Arron Stumpo is also a part owner. 

Tittel is not a complete newcomer to the Bronxville retail scene. One of his affiliated holding companies owns Bronxville Wines & Spirits, only a few doors away from Topps Bakery.

"To me the transition to Topps was a shoo-in," Tittel said. Because he knows the Lachman family, former owners of the bakery and the wine store, Tittel noted, he had some knowledge of the business.

"I do feel the Bronxville business climate overall is solid," he said. He believes that people are willing to support local businesses and merchants who, in turn, provide a full-service experience. "I would say the climate is marginally more optimistic than it was a year ago," he said and added that he has observed a similar trend in other high-net-worth communities where he has business holdings.

Tittle has officially been at the helm of Topps Bakery since Wednesday, December 7; the first immediate change Tittel has made is to serve hot coffee. The store now has an espresso/cappuccino/latte machine.

The bakery's newest food item is the "crazant," a croissant with an unusual filling. Crazants come with Nutella, cookie dough, or chocolate ganache filling.



Tittel said that after the new year, some savory foods will be added to the menu but emphasized that he is not planning to turn Topps into a deli or full patisserie. "There is a need for a little something savory," he commented, "especially for the Bronxville School students who come in at lunchtime."

Tittel feels that one niche offering the best opportunity for improvement is high-end decorated cakes. He plans to expand offerings in wedding and special occasion cakes.

With a degree in economics, Tittel said that he was originally headed to Wall Street for a career, this after deciding not to pursue a career in medicine. "I did some soul-searching in my late 20s to find what I was really passionate about."

After eliminating sailing because it is a true hobby, not knowing how to turn a love of antiques into viable business, and getting cars out of his system, that left food and wine.

"I worked myself up the 'food chain' in wine," Tittel said. He began as a floor manager at Zachys Wine & Liquor and became a general manager. After that, he ran some wholesale companies and in 2002 became an entrepreneur.

Tittel's wife, Michelle, has enjoyed a career in food as well as in the clothing industry. She managed the New Canaan, Connecticut, Garelick & Herbs location. She is no stranger to Bronxville, as her family lived here through the 1950s.

"It's nice to combine a lifestyle business with actually making money," Tittel said. "I very much enjoy the retail aspect of business because you actually get instant gratification in taking care of people and doing the right thing."

Pictured here:  Top photo: Joern Tittel;  Second photo:  Aaron Stumpo; both owner of Topps Bakery.

Photo by N. Bower