Peabody resident fulfills bakery dreams

PEABODY-Peabody resident Diane DeSantis used to travel nearly 30 miles for what she considers good, crispy Italian bread, but as of Wednesday, all of that will change.?Now, I?ll be able to go right here,” said DeSantis of Rose?s Bakery, her latest business venture.After 30 years in medical billing, DeSantis, 62, thought it was time for a change. Owning a bakery seemed to be the perfect idea, and the vacant property on Main Street, the former site of Collins Café, happened to be the perfect location.It took only two weeks to figure out a deal with the property?s owner, but nearly 10 months to gather necessary permits, a process she described as “a killer.”?If I didn?t have my other business to support me, I couldn?t have done this,” she said. “I don?t know how any small business entrepreneurs are able to do this with the many restrictions placed on them today.”She thanked her lenders, contractors, friends, family, and staff for helping her along the way.Now only a few baker?s dozens shy from filling up her cases, DeSantis is anxious to share with the community her blend of Italian-European goods, including cakes, pies, cupcakes, and of course, plenty of cannolis.The shop will also offer a variety of Brazilian baked goods to service the city?s large population, as well as salads, sandwiches, and European-style tray pizzas.But the house specialty, DeSantis swears, will be their fresh bread and fruit tortes.Named after her Italian mother, the bakery will follow a Tuscan-inspired décor complete with outdoor seating. DeSantis hopes to someday enclose the patio so patrons can enjoy their treats outside year-round.?I think we certainly brought a lot to the downtown,” said DeSantis. “We?ve enhanced the corner greatly with our appearance and hope other developers will follow suit here on either side of me.”In addition to the bakery, DeSantis will bring her business from Saugus to Peabody, and more specifically, directly above the shop. During construction, she added two townhouses to the floors above Rose?s, one of which is occupied by her pastry chef; the other will soon house her billing company.Starting Wednesday, Rose?s Bakery, 168 Main St., Peabody, will be open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. City officials, however, sat in on a sneak preview Monday night.?I hope that we?re a booming business,” said DeSantis. “I hope that we?re a household name?and a destination bakery.”