An old butcher's shop transformed into an oasis of sugar-free sweets? Why not! Discover with us how Fit Cake found its place in the heart of industrial Lodz. Sometimes the best business decisions are made when you least expect them. That was the case for Michał Szewczyk, who today successfully runs the Fit Cake premises in Łódź's Księży Młyn.
- I was browsing through various business ideas, but the inspiration came completely unexpectedly during a wedding in the Bieszczady Mountains," recalls Michal. - I was watching my cousin with celiac disease eating specially ordered baked goods. After a short conversation with her, I thought: hey, this is it!
After the wedding inspiration, Michal didn't wait long. He went to see a Fit Cake outlet in operation in Kutno and caught the bug.
- After this visit, I no longer had any doubts. I booked a location in Lodz and set off with my preparations.
A place with soul instead of a shopping mall
When most new cafés are being built in galleries or on high streets, Michal has opted for authenticity. His Fit Cake operates in Lodz's Księży Młyn, a historic factory complex that is now one of the most magical corners of the city.
- This place is a piece of the real Łódź," he says with a twinkle in his eye. - There used to be a butcher's shop here, and today we serve sugar-free cakes. The whole district is like a "city within a city" - the former factory owner built everything here for his workers: flats, houses, schools... There could hardly be a better backdrop for our cakes than these brick walls with their history.
Interestingly, Fit Cake had already tried its hand in Lodz before the pandemic, but circumstances forced the previous owners to close the premises.
- Sometimes customers come to us who remember that spot. They say, "It's so good that you're back!" and that's the best compliment," laughs Michael.
More than business - cooperation that matters
Lodz Fit Cake has entered into a unique collaboration with the Gajusz Foundation, which cares for terminally ill children.
- 'Many of the foundation's charges have been on special diets, including ketogenic, some for as long as 20 years,' explains Michael. - For them, our baked goods are not a whim or fashion, but a real answer to their health needs.
This collaboration shows how a local business can fit in with the needs of the community while building a strong brand.
From difficult beginnings to grand plans
Like any entrepreneur, Michal had to face initial challenges. Today, his premises have already become a landmark on the map of Lodz, and the owner looks to the future with optimism.
- Łódź is changing, new housing estates are being built, the inhabitants are increasingly looking for places with character and an offer different from everywhere else. I am convinced that soon more and more people will discover our haven in Księży Młyn," he says with conviction. - And this is just the beginning. I already have plans in my head for further premises.
Voice from headquarters
Rafał Kościuk, creator and owner of the Fit Cake brand, makes no secret of his satisfaction with the Lodz outlet:
- What Michael has done in Lodz is the quintessence of our philosophy - combining tradition with modernity, passion with business. Księży Młyn is the perfect place for a brand like ours - with respect for history on the one hand, and the courage to introduce culinary innovations on the other. I'm particularly pleased to be working with the Gajusz Foundation. Fit Cake has always been about more than just selling cakes. It's a brand with a social sensibility that genuinely responds to the needs of different groups. Michal's story shows that you can run a business with heart," adds Kościuk.
Fit Cake on Księży Młyn is not just another point on the franchise map of the chain. It is a place where the post-industrial history of Łódź meets the contemporary needs of its inhabitants, and where the traditional form of the café acquires a new, healthier dimension. Brick walls, the smell of freshly brewed coffee and sugar-free baked goods create a composition that attracts Łódź residents looking for a place with character. And it all started with a chance conversation at a wedding in the Bieszczady Mountains....
If you're in the Księży Młyn area, be sure to stop by Michal's. The place and the flavours - they have their own unique history.
