Just over two years ago, Theresa Timmons’ life changed in an instant.
A devastating car accident in Cortlandt in December 2023 left the then-16-year-old with a traumatic brain injury and significant damage to the left side of her body.
“She barely made it,” said her mom, Laura Timmons. “She had a 5% chance to live. She was in the hospital for five months in the ICU [intensive care unit].”
Her recovery has been long and ongoing. Along the way, she had to relearn many basic skills most people take for granted, including eating and speaking.
“We do therapy at home, but [for] her mental state, she really needed something of her own — something to do, something to think about beyond just therapy,” Laura said.
Now 18, Theresa is still in rehabilitation, which remains a central part of her daily life. But she is also channeling her determination into something she has loved since childhood: baking.
A simple, life changing idea
Creating things from scratch is in Theresa’s DNA. Her family owns Homestyle Desserts Bakery in Peekskill, which allowed her to learn the rhythms of a kitchen from an early age. Which is why, two months ago, when she was home on a break from rehab, her mother suggested something simple but life changing.
“My mom came into my room one day and had this really cool idea to try to make mini cakes,” Theresa said.
That idea became Sweet T’s, a small baking business built around homemade mini cakes. Every Friday, Theresa bakes from scratch at home, making about 40 to 50 cakes before heading to Homestyle Bakery on Saturdays, where she sells them from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
A Westchester business built from creativity
In a short time, Sweet T’s has quickly developed its own identity. Rather than sticking to a fixed menu, Theresa changes her offerings weekly based on inspiration.
Flavors include banana pudding, Oreo, tres leches, chocolate mousse and carrot cake, along with specialty creations like orange creamsicle, which she calls “dreamsicle.” Each cake sells for $7.
She remains deeply involved in every stage of production, from baking to packaging. Her mother helps with some of the physical tasks she is still limited in performing due to her injuries.
The biggest challenge, she said, has been adapting to life with limited mobility.
“I think the only hard thing I have is being one handed [while] putting the lids on the cakes,” she said.
Still, she’s adapted. Using a brace on her left arm along with her face for stability, she carefully secures each container herself.
Strong community support
Theresa’s presence at Homestyle has quickly become a draw of its own. Customers stop in not just for desserts, but to support her journey and recovery. Laura and Theresa shared that the support from family and friends has helped Sweet T’s continue to grow.
Laura said the response from customers has been overwhelming.
“We have a lot of customers that come just for you,” she said to her daughter.
Theresa said that encouragement fuels her motivation.
“I love seeing the smile on people’s faces, and they love to buy it,” she said. “It’s perfect having it inside my mom’s bakery. A lot of customers here know me and know my journey.”
That road to recovery hasn’t been easy, she admitted, but she remains resilient.
“It’s definitely been hard and painful, but this gives me courage to keep going,” Theresa said.
What’s next for Sweet T’s?
That support has also helped Sweet T’s grow beyond weekend sales. Her next pop-up is scheduled for an Irish step dance event at Blackthorne Resort in East Durham, July 31 to August 2. This marks another step outside the bakery and into larger community spaces.
While her rehabilitation is expected to continue through August, she’s already thinking ahead. Once therapy concludes, she hopes to dedicate herself full time to Sweet T’s, hopefully expanding it into catering and private events.
Her long-term goal is ambitious but clear: by 25, she wants to open a shop of her own.
If you go
Address: 24 South Water Street, Peekskill, 914-737-4659, homestyledessertsbakery
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday
Good to know: The next Sweet T’s pop-up is July 11 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Homestyle. Check the shop’s social media (or call ahead) for future dates.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Sweet T’s cakes are symbol of Westchester car crash survivor’s strength
Reporting by Michelle Grisales, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Michelle Grisales, Rockland/Westchester Journal News | USA TODAY Network
