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Margaret Elaine Gladney recalls how as a child she and her siblings would smell her mother's lemon pound cake in the oven and rush into the kitchen to watch it bake through the glass window.

"Walk easy. Don't shake the oven or the cake will fall," Gladney says her mother would scold.

It was always hard for Gladney, the youngest of 13 siblings, to wait until revival dinner at their church, New Goshen United Methodist in Pleasant Garden, to get a slice of her mother's cake.

When she was 19, Gladney started baking her own pound cakes using her mother's recipe.

Now the mother of two teenage sons, Gladney's pound cakes have become so popular through word of mouth and catering that she has taken things to a new level by opening The Sweet Shop (631 S. Elm St., Suite A; 379-9509; www.sweetshopnow.com), a bakery and boutique in downtown Greensboro that will offer 30 varieties of pound cake including coconut, almond, banana nut, rum, chocolate and the signature lemon. Many are certified kosher.

"I want to share something homemade from back in the day," Gladney says.

"The pound cake recipe has been in our family since 1945. I love that time. I love the music, the clothing styles."

A grand opening is planned from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 25.

The shop will have the feel of an old-fashioned candy shop, offering a selection of glazed nuts and candy, including many vintage varieties like Tootsie Rolls, Mary Janes and even wax lips. It's a fitting tribute to a building that's stood for decades at the south end of Greensboro's old business district.

Gladney says she hopes her pound cakes will take people back as well.

"People eat a slice of my cake and say it tastes like what their grandma used to bake," she says.

The shop offers freshly brewed coffee and espresso drinks, hot chocolate and smoothies.

Gladney also sells homemade jewelry and knits, linens and her own line of greeting cards. She also creates custom baskets filled with her flavors.

The shop offers free Wi-Fi and Gladney plans to host live jazz, including some 1940s-style bands.

She also has plans for sidewalk seating and a patio in back of the shop.

Hours for The Sweet Shop are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Anniversary celebration

Filet of Soul (3205 Yanceyville St., Greensboro; 954-5426) in Palmer Plaza shopping center is celebrating two years with a special breakfast of pancakes, balloons and music from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday.

Blueberry season

It's blueberry season here in the Piedmont and The Greensboro Farmers Curb Market (Yanceyville and Lindsay streets) is celebrating with pancakes hot off the griddle and lots of local berries during Berry Day from 6 a.m. to noon Saturday.

By the way, Masoud Awartani, who has been offering his Middle Eastern specialties at the market for years, will be serving lunch from his restaurant, Zaytoon Cafe, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Wednesday during the market's midweek hours of 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2-6 p.m.

For market information, visit www.greensboro-nc.gov/farmersmarket or call 373-2402.

Peach season

It's also the beginning of peach season, and The Piedmont-Triad Farmers Market (2914 Sandy Ridge Road) off Interstate 40 in Colfax is celebrating with Peach Day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday.

Sample a variety before stocking up on your favorites. For market information, visit www.ncagr.gov/markets/facilities/markets/triad or call 605-9157.

Wingfest winners

The Arc of High Point recently held Wingfest, a bragging rights competition for Buffalo Wings among area restaurants, and the carnivores have spoken.

East Coast Wings and Grill mopped up the competition by taking the categories of best sweet wings, best exotic wings, best overall wings and a People's Choice Award.

Buffalo Wings and Rings took the best barbecue wings category, while Liberty Steakhouse and Brewery got the award for best hot wings.

The Arc of High Point is an organization that works to improve the well-being of those with disabilities.

Next year's fundraiser is scheduled for June 19. For information, call 883-0650.

Lunch special and deserts

The Undercurrent (327 Battleground Ave., Greensboro; 370-1266; www.under currentrestaurant.com) is offering an $8 lunch deal that includes a choice of salad or cup of soup with a half sandwich and side.

The restaurant has also rolled out some new desserts that include Toasted Marshmallow-Hazelnut-Chocolate Roulade, Carrot Cake with Mascarpone-Buttercream Icing and Strawberry Coulis with Chocolate Sauce.

Thai barbecue

July is barbecue month and Taste of Thai (1500 Mill St., Suite 101; 273-1318) is offering their own spin on grilling with a grilled chicken or salmon salad with herbal dressing or grilled beef or pork with dipping sauce.

The entrees are $12.95 and are served with a California sushi ball, soup of the day and dessert.

For additional meal deals, check out the restaurant roundup at www.news-record.com/roundup.

Pizza and chicken

Golden Pizza (1601 Alamance Church Road, Greensboro) has opened at the Pit Stop convenience store.

Pizzas range from $2.29 for a personal cheese to $7.99 for an extra large cheese. Toppings are $1 extra.

Subs ($2.99-$5.49), beef hot dogs and wings are also available.

Golden Pizza also offers fried chicken and sides, including family meals of eight to 16 pieces.

Contact Carl Wilson at 373-7145 or carl.wilson@news-record.com