In Stonecreek Plaza, the fragrance of fresh chai and buttery croissants drifts from a family-owned storefront: Layer Cake Bakery, soon to be rebranded as Café Mosaic. 

Layer Cake Bakery was open for 14 years before sophomore Sana Towfiq and her family took over in November 2024. Since then, the Towfiqs have transformed the former American-style bakery by incorporating flavors from their Afghan culture in American desserts, drawing inspiration from French, Italian and Asian delicacies. Beyond these flavors, another distinctive feature of Café Mosaic is the welcoming atmosphere that the Towfiqs have created, according to sophomore Elica Hooti, who spent two weeks working in the bakery when the Towfiqs first opened. 

“It’s not like other cafes,” Hooti said. “I could go into a cafe in L.A., and I feel like a lot of the time, they don’t really pay attention to their customers. They mostly just want to get their job done. But in Layer Cake Bakery, the people are really nice and welcoming, and they make sure that they serve what the customer needs. It’s just a cozy overall vibe, and I feel comfortable stepping in there.” 

Sana Towfiq’s three aunts carry the same entrepreneurial spirit, owning pizza shops, banquet halls and chocolate stores. When the bakery was listed for sale, the Towfiqs seized the opportunity to fulfill Sana’s mother’s aspirations of owning a business, despite having no prior experience. From day one, the Towfiqs have been deeply involved in the bakery, according to Sana Towfiq’s older brother, Shayan Towfiq.

“You need to be involved, or your business is going to fail,” Shayan said. “In the beginning, we were there a lot more — at least five days a week. It was really exhausting, but it really helped us learn what we were doing. But since we’ve got the hang of it now, I just need to come in and make sure everyone’s doing their job properly — that everything looks good, and everything’s running smoothly.” 

Each family member plays a different role in the bakery. Sana Towfiq works as a barista, Shayan Towfiq manages operations and design, their father oversees online scheduling and their mother leads the baking. Still, they work collaboratively, which has helped them grow closer as a family, according to Shayan Towfiq.

“I have witnessed the dynamic of their family, and I think it’s really warm,” Hooti said. “It feels more of a family activity together. One day, their aunt stopped by, and it was nice to see how they were so proud of all the things they’ve accomplished in the bakery. It just feels like a whole family project.”

Working in a bakery beginning at 14 years old has provided Sana Towfiq with great learning opportunities, including building social skills through face-to-face customer interactions. These experiences have been invaluable, and her experience thus far inspires her to continue working in the café or bakery industry, according to Sana. 

“I would definitely see myself throughout high school and college continuing to work in the bakery or barista category of work,” Sana said. “Working here not only taught me about baking and drinks, but also the way a business works. I always underestimated how much work it is, and there’s so much behind the scenes that people don’t usually see.”