State Worker Turned Business Owner

ALBANY, N.Y.… The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) was joined by Mayor Kathy Sheehan, County Executive Daniel McCoy, property owner Jack Yonally, and business owner Lyle Houston on February 14 in officially welcoming The Fifth Tier Baking Studio to Downtown to 54 Columbia Street.
 

“Albany continues to be a community where people’s dreams come to fruition,” said Mayor Sheehan “As we welcome those who live in, work in, and visit the Capital City, businesses new and established are a testament to our potential being unleashed every day."
 

A state employee from the age of 18, Houston, now 44, has always been interested in baking. Unfulfilled by his career, he began taking classes at Schenectady County Community College and later at the Culinary Institute of America. The opening is the culmination of those efforts and over $50,000 of investment in the shop, equipment, and licensing.
 

The name Fifth Tier originates from a project Houston was given while studying at the CIA; in a design course, students were tasked with completing a mock business name and logo. For his part, Houston combined the idea of a five-star restaurant with a wedding cake, and The Fifth Tier Baking Studio was born. The shop's location is, in part, the result of the proximity of his former office; previously working on Broadway, it was his walks around Downtown that led him to the spot at 54 Columbia Street.
 

“I am pleased to welcome the latest retailer to Downtown. As this area prepares to welcome a significant influx of visitors to its restaurants, retailers, and entertainment venues, it is businesses like these that will help ensure people always have a reason to return,” said County Executive McCoy.
 

"Lyle has been working for years to get to this point, and we are so excited that he found a Downtown location to bring his business to life," said Georgette Steffens, Downtown Albany BID executive director. "As our District continues to grow, business owners like Lyle are a critical component in activating our retail spaces and streets for our 20,000 Downtown employees, growing residential base, and as we prepare to welcome an additional 80,000 visitors annually from the convention center.”  
 

"We are thrilled to welcome Lyle to Downtown and our building," said Yonally. “Fifth Tier is a wonderful compliment to the existing retailers and will surely be a draw for those who live, work, and play here. We welcome you to the block, and we wish you the very best.”
 

Houston has been leasing the location for two and a half years and had planned to open back in 2014, but suffered physical and emotional setbacks after being hit by a car and having anti-gay graffiti sprayed on his house. After overcoming those obstacles, the business owner is excited to have his dream business up and running, even with the 3:00 AM alarm starting his day. 
 

Before opening in Downtown, Houston was building business through baking for friends, farmers markets, and a Williams-Sonoma pop-up market held at Crossgates Mall. So far, he says, he sells upward of several hundred items a day with the most popular being scones and cinnamon rolls.
 

Houston is not just working to feed the community; he's also working with fellow business owners to foster the camaraderie that comes with operating in an urban environment. The 250-square-foot shop allows room for the bare necessities, meaning baking is done across the street at The Hollow Bar + Kitchen; the restaurant is also one of two locations where fans can find Fifth Tier baked goods outside of the shop, the other being the recently opened 3Fish Coffee on Madison Avenue.
 

"My partner John and I have put blood, sweat, and tears into this business," said Houston. "The response and the support we have had is unbelievable. They say it's not work if you love what you do, so I am ecstatic to know I won't have to work another day in my life."
 

The Fifth Tier Baking Studio is located at 54 Columbia Street. Hours are 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Monday through Friday. For more information call 518.650.7240 or visit fifthtierbakingstudio.com.