Ilsa's Konditorei & Cafe, a haven for Tucson pastry-philes, will close its doors Jan. 31 with the retirement of its namesake, Ilsa Bechert.
Bechert, who's been rolling, cutting, baking and decorating tasty treats for the past 21 years, has decided to close her bakery at 3355 N. Dodge Blvd. instead of trying to find someone to replace her.
Her wedding and specialty cakes, which have become her signature, will be available at the Village Bake House, 7882 N. Oracle Road, and she will fill and personally deliver existing cake orders.
"They will make my cakes according to my recipes," Bechert said. "There is a clientele for quality products."
However, her cookies, pastries, tarts, tortes and breads will not be available after she closes the konditorei (pronounced "Cone-D-Tor-Eye" — German for "cake shop" or "café"). She asks customers who want to place large orders, perhaps to freeze for the future, to call ahead and not wait until the last minute.
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A letter to friends and customers is posted on the door, explaining that Bechert is retiring.
"Customers, they're devastated, but they're happy for me," she said. "They say 'Oh no, you cannot retire.' There have been some tears. They tell me they love me."
Bechert said she is looking forward to having time for her interests in writing and nature, but she will miss her customers, many of whom have become friends over the years as she moved her bakery three times.
"I never wanted to do wedding cakes," she said, smiling. "I believe the konditorei will leave a mark. I had no clue it would evolve into what it evolved into."
● Read more about Ilsa's Konditorei and the woman behind the pastries Wednesday in Accent on Food.