TUCKAHOE — Like its delivery area around the United States, Tuckahoe Cheesecake Factory is expanding its footprint in Upper Township.
The Zoning Board approved an application by owners Stephen and Lynn Tyszka on April 11 for minor site plan approval with variance relief. Located in the Tuckahoe Village Zone, the property is deficient in lot area (10,584 existing where 15,000 is required), front yard setback (9.26 feet/10 feet), side yard setback (6 feet/10 feet) and off-street parking (four spots existing, three proposed and 6.7 required). They also needed a use variance to allow a second principal structure on the property at 2117 Route 50 in Tuckahoe.
The couple bought the business, along with its bakery and serving counter inside a Victorian home, about 10 years ago and are the fourth owners of the business, which was started in 1981.
They plan to build a second building behind the existing one, where they will have ovens and additional freezer space. Stephen Tyszka said the building would replace a garage and several sheds, which he characterized as “in pretty bad shape.”
“It all has to be replaced and I might as well make it one big thing rather than the three sheds that are back there now,” Tyszka said.
One of the sheds holds a walk-in refrigerator, one a walk-in freezer and the other two are used for storage.
“We want to get it all in one, then we can do a little expansion to do some prep work there,” Tyszka said.
He said there are no plans to enlarge the showroom out front.
“We’re all used to working in crampness here,” he said.
Established in 1981 by Bob Weber, Tuckahoe Cheesecake Factory bakes with his original cheesecake and flour cake recipes.
“Our award-winning cakes are all individually hand-poured, baked and sold at our one and only location: a historic, Victorian three-story house located in the quaint little town of Tuckahoe, New Jersey,” according to its website.
The menu features original cheesecakes, plus specialties such as Cookies ’n Cream and Vanilla Caramel Cream. Additionally, the bakery makes flour cakes including its signature Carrot Cake, Triple Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Cherry Cordial Cake and Reese’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake, all made with Belgian chocolate.
They ship throughout the United States during the cooler months (usually November through March). Tyszka said there is a two-day maximum, noting they can ship to the West Coast in that time.
“We have a map in the store of where we have shipped our cheesecakes to,” he said. “It’s always exciting to put a new pin in the board.”
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff