Although he was born and raised in Cleveland, there is no doubt Andrew Swartz is MarionMade! It all began in 1982 when Swartz’s father purchased the Arby’s restaurant in Marion and moved his family to this great community.
A fortuitous move for Swartz. as it enabled him to attend Tri-Rivers Career Center. He graduated in 1984 from the Culinary Arts program. With a career that includes Cleveland, New York, North Carolina, and Washington D.C., Andrew was drawn back to Marion in 1995. His dream was to open a pastry shop in his adopted hometown. He did just that the following year in 1996.
“We have been recognized in many ways. Some of my most proud have been being featured in our hometown newspaper, The Marion Star, then the Columbus Dispatch; few magazines including the Ohio Magazine and Modern Baking Magazine, which is a national bakery publication,” said Swartz.
Swartz is inspired to continue by those in his life.
“In addition to my incredible wife and business partner, my faithful staff and loyal customer base continue to spur me on,” Swartz said, wishing to show his gratitude.
Swartz believes it’s important for Marion to have active and involved people to make our community stronger and to keep Marion a great place to live. Swartz has been an avid advocate for his alma mater, appearing in print publications as a great success story of their program, and earning recognition for his accomplishments.
“I’m very proud of my Outstanding Alumni Award from Tri-Rivers,” said Swartz. “Also, the customer service star award from the Marion County Convention and Visitors Bureau.”
More than two decades following their opening, Andrew’s Pastries is a fixture in Marion. Whether for an early morning breakfast pastry, a custom-made cake, or fresh cookies, Marion community members and people from out of town find their way to his shop in the Servex Center on Delaware Avenue.
“We have been serving the Marion community for 26 years now and hope that we can continue on for many years to come,” said Swartz.
Two things stand out in this staple of Marion.
Other than the delicious aroma, the bakery walls are filled with images from the past. Photos of bakers and bakeries from Marion’s history is Andrew’s way of honoring those who have gone paved the way. The displays give tribute to the men and women who made tasty treats from scratch, something you can only find in a local bakery.
And second, those pink boxes. While it would be great if there was a fascinating story behind the pink containers, such is not the case. Andrew has explained that it simply was a matter of the company sending the wrong color boxes. The uniqueness of pink has become a status all itself.
Or, as one Facebook reviewer exclaimed, “The pink box makes every day better!”
Cheesecake, donuts, cookies, baklava, pull-aparts…whatever your pick from this local spot, when you walk out with your pastries in a pink box, you walk out with a little bit of happiness.
We’re sure everyone can agree, Andrew’s Pastries has become a prominent fixture in Marion that all started with a move from Cleveland those years ago.
“Though I’ve worked in many different environments, Marion has proven to be my favorite,” said Swartz. “Despite the challenges owning a business may bring, serving the community has been incredibly rewarding. Unlike the other bakeries and restaurants I’ve worked in, Marion is home.”
