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Weirton Edition: Gus's Goodies

By Candace Nelson - 10:00 AM

Gus' goodiesThe coolest birthday cake I ever had growing up was one where my school picture was printed on the front; I remember being very particular about wanting to get the piece that featured my nose. That cake happened to be from Gus's Goodies.

Gus' goodies
This bakery, located in downtown Weirton, has been a staple in the town for a long time:
Around 1912, Gus Monezis, and his brother, George, immigrated from Greece to America. Gus came to Weirton, WV, and began working at Weirton Steel Company. George moved to McKeesport, PA, and became employed as a baker and cake decorator at the William Penn Hotel. He later opened his own bakery, the Minerva Pastry Shop.

Gus had three sons and one daughter in Greece. After he got settled, he brought the entire family to Weirton. Two of the sons, Nick and George, were taught the bakery business by great uncle George.

Uncle George started Royal Pastry on Main Street in south Weirton. In the 1935, Nick took over the business and young George went into the Army. In 1960, Nick's son, Gus (named for his grandfather), and his daughter, Helen, and her husband, Nick, took over the operations. Helen and her husband eventually moved to Illinois in 1969, and Gus became the sole proprietor of the bakery. Gus then introduced his own wife, Aggie, and daughters to the business.

Gus's Goodies may have seen a few name changes throughout the years, but it's still the same family business that started so many years ago; and it's still located on Main Street in south Weirton.

What happened to the other Monezis bakers? Great uncle George had a son, George Jr., and he had a son, Mark. They, along with George's wife, Irene, and daughter, Cathy, still operate the bakery in McKeesport, PA.

"My cousin, George Jr., has been my mentor over the years," says Gus, "and I owe a lot to him for all he has taught me."
Gus' goodiesThe bakery sells decorated cakes, foam cakes and wedding cakes, as well as donuts, cookies and pies.

Gus' goodiesOn this day, there were tons of goodies in the case. I wavered between sugar cookies topped with pumpkin icing and these delicious looking cupcakes.

Gus' goodies
The cakes they had for display were just on a different level, though I, unfortunately, couldn't justify buying a whole cake. Though I did try to talk myself into it.

Gus' goodiesInstead, I ended up getting a pumpkin sugar cookie and a homemade buckeye. I also ended up with Kaitlynn's white chocolate chip macadamia nut cookie (which happens to be my favorite) because she forgot it in my car. Muahahah.

Gus' goodiesSo, wow.

Gus' goodiesThe pumpkin cookie was good! Sugar cookie with sprinkles, so this can't be bad, right?

Gus' goodiesThe buckeye was made with a sort of chunkier peanut butter - which I actually liked. Milk chocolate + peanut butter is an unbeatable combo.

Gus' goodiesAnd, finally, that cookie! I mean, of course it's good too! Chewy, sweet, a nice golden brown. Just delish.

Gus' goodiesAnd, I think it's probably tough to grade this place poorly, because it's all desserts. And, I clearly can't say no to desserts. But, I like its history in the community and the memories I have with this place. I think the products they create are also very good. They're beautiful, tasty and locally owned. It doesn't get much better than that.

Grade: A
Gus's Goodies Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

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