Magnolia Bakery Plans 5 Locations in Hudson and Bergen Counties

Picture this: You’re walking down a Jersey City street, and there it is — a familiar pink-and-white awning, a glass case full of cupcakes, and the smell of warm banana pudding in the air. For many of us, that’s a New York City day trip fantasy. But soon, it could be as close as your own neighborhood.

Magnolia Bakery, the West Village institution that shot to fame after a certain Sex and the City scene, is coming to Hudson and Bergen counties. The company announced on LinkedIn that franchise agreements have been signed for five locations across the two counties, part of a larger New Jersey expansion that includes eight total stores.

What We Know So Far

Details are still slim. We don’t yet know which specific towns or Jersey City neighborhoods will host the bakeries. The company hasn’t announced opening dates for the Hudson and Bergen locations, though a Mt. Laurel store is scheduled for fall 2026.

Marcelo Martins and Frank Polito of GSMB Holdings will own and operate the five stores in our area. Insiya Dhrolia and Sameena Shahpurwala will run three additional locations in Mercer, Middlesex, and Monmouth counties. Those central Jersey bakeries will open over the next three years.

What we do know is what you’ll find inside: that famous banana pudding, yes, plus cupcakes, layer cakes, cheesecakes, cookies, brownies, pies, breakfast pastries, and coffee. Seasonal treats will rotate throughout the year.

How We Got Here

Magnolia Bakery started small in 1996, with founders Jennifer Appel and Allysa Torey baking red velvet cupcakes and banana pudding in a tiny West Village storefront. The nostalgic, homey feel drew in locals and tourists alike.

Then came 1998, and a four-second scene in HBO’s Sex and the City. Carrie Bradshaw and Miranda Hobbes sat on the bench outside, sharing a cupcake and talking about love. That moment turned a neighborhood bakery into a global brand. Today, Magnolia operates about 55 stores in the U.S. and internationally — from Dubai to the Philippines.

This New Jersey push is part of the company’s first-ever franchise program, launched to celebrate its 30th anniversary. For years, Magnolia ran mostly company-owned stores. Now it’s opening up to franchise partners in 14 states.

What It Means for Hudson County

For commuters and families who pack lunches every morning, this is more than a new cupcake shop. It’s a signal that major brands see Hudson County as a real market — not just a place people pass through on their way to Manhattan.

It also means jobs. Each new bakery will hire local staff — bakers, decorators, counter staff, managers. For a neighborhood like the Heights or Journal Square, that can be a welcome boost.

But let’s be honest: most of us just want that banana pudding. The one with the vanilla wafers and the layers of cream. Having it a 15-minute walk away instead of a PATH ride changes your Saturday afternoon. It makes the neighborhood feel a little more like a destination itself.

What People Are Saying

The company hasn’t responded to requests for comment from local news outlets. But the announcement on LinkedIn drew excited reactions. “Finally!” wrote one commenter. “Can’t wait to have my favorite banana pudding without going into the city.”

Franchise owners Martins and Polito have not yet revealed which specific towns they’re targeting. We’ll keep watching for permit applications and lease signings, which often tip off the public before official announcements.

What Comes Next

For now, keep an eye on local development boards and your social media feeds. Real estate filings sometimes leak location details before press releases do. If you hear a new commercial space going under renovation near you, it might be worth a peek through the window.

The bakeries won’t appear overnight, but they are coming. And when they do, that bench in Hoboken or Jersey City might just become the new spot for your own conversation — no SATC cameo required.