PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 65 it all in one bowl, throw it in a pan, bake it and take it out. This is why it takes us two days to make it. It has a big chill process and that’s what makes it so good. We also don’t bake with eggs, which is very uncommon.” Before Namesake Cheesecake, the Palo Alto High School graduate spent several years in Los Angeles and co-opened one of that area’s leading craft beer bars before the genre became the massive trend it is today. Cherith came back to the Peninsula to be closer to her parents. Of course, 2020 posed challenges for the shop, but Cherith took the opportunity to reimagine both her business and the space. Cheesecake is certainly still the headliner, but Namesake Cheesecake goes far beyond dessert nowadays. “Let’s figure that out!” exclaims Spicer, when asked how to ith’s family would attend. “Everything just goes back to family,” she notes. “My parents were best friends with them, so we were over at their house all the time.” Indeed, arguably the most rewarding thing about Namesake Cheesecake for Cherith is seeing families create their own traditions with this historic cheesecake. “I like the personal part,” she smiles, as she describes regulars serving up Namesake for engagements and weddings, followed by baby showers: “I’m just watching all these chapters of everyone and that’s what I love.” describe the shop, leaning back in a chair and nearly hitting some ornate glassware sitting atop an armoire display of bracelets and earrings. “It’s like a boutique—an eclectic, sort of one-stop shop where everything is local, womenowned, has a good story, gift basket-oriented with constant new arrivals. It’s a little array of everything—and cheesecake.” After hearing a “general store” suggestion, Cherith pauses and adds, “A general store—with sparkle!” At this time of year, the shop looks particularly festive with every kind of stocking stuffer, plus a cheesecake holiday candy topping offering, which is quite fitting because Rickey’s cheesecake was always served at the Christmas parties Cherthe perfect touch namesakecheesecake.com
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