A celebratory birthday segment on The View took an unexpected turn this week, leading to a public dispute between co-host Whoopi Goldberg and a 145-year-old Staten Island bakery.
Goldberg insinuated that the bakery, later identified as Holtermann’s Bakery, refused to fulfill her order for Charlotte Russe desserts due to her political views.
However, the bakery owner has vehemently denied these claims, citing equipment (boiler) malfunctions as the reason for the initial delay.
During Wednesday’s episode, Goldberg, while sharing the desserts with her co-hosts, remarked that the bakery initially refused to make them, possibly due to her political leanings.
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“My birthday dessert today was one of my mom’s favorites from when she was a kid, she talked about these all the time, they’re called Charlotte Russe. It’s a sponge cake with whipped cream and a cherry on top. I should tell you, Charlotte Russe has no political leanings. The place that made these refused to make them for me,” Goldberg said, prompting panelist Sara Haines to spit out the dessert live on the air.
“No, let me explain,” Goldberg continued. “They said that their ovens had gone down, but folks went and got them anyway, which is why I’m not telling you who made them. It’s not… because I’m a woman, but perhaps they did not like my politics. But, that’s okay, because you know what, listen, this is my mother’s celebration. Pick these up and celebrate with me and my mom. Thank you everyone for celebrating my birthday today.”
After identifying the bakery through its distinctive packaging, media outlets contacted Holtermann’s Bakery owner, Jill Holtermann, who refuted Goldberg’s claims, explaining that the bakery was experiencing issues with its boilers, making it difficult to commit to large orders.
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She confirmed that Goldberg had requested the desserts for both a November 6th appearance on a talk show and the November 13th broadcast of The View. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the boiler repairs, Holtermann declined both initial requests.
Holtermann emphasized that the refusal was solely due toboiler challenges and not related to any political differences. She highlighted the age of the building and the unpredictable nature of equipment malfunctions, stating that she didn’t want to promise something she couldn’t deliver.
During a press briefing Friday, Holtermann praised the outpouring of support from the community: “I’m so overwhelmed by the support, from finding out yesterday that this even happened to getting phone calls and then people coming in from all over, just supporting us in every way.”
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“We had phone calls yesterday from Alabama, “Guys, I’m going to give you $50, send it to a school, send them Donuts, send them cupcakes.” Their support has been so overwhelming, and I know how hard my family has worked to live. I wish my father were here today to see this; he would never believe it. My Bakers come in two or three in the morning just to have donuts and rolls for everybody to come in and say ‘we have the best rolls ever.’ And you know what? It took my whole family, it takes everybody, the community that comes everyday to see us. We have this everyday conversation with everybody. How’s the family? How’s this? This is what makes Holtermanns. It’s the community. And if it wasn’t for you and Staten Island to make this work, we still wouldn’t be here,” said Holtermann.
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