Sweet T’s, a Black-owned bakery known for sweet potato pie, is coming to Reading Terminal Market

Tia El grew up baking from sweet potato dessert recipes used by her grandmother, Delores Truitt. But when she began adding her own spin, such as a graham cracker crust, people really took notice. She turned pro with Sweet T’s Bakery.

Working with her husband, Mark, she has landed a permanent stall at Reading Terminal Market, opening in mid-April.

The Els, who were on the School District of Philadelphia’s police force and also owned two day-care centers, started with a shop at 22nd and Latona Streets in South Philadelphia. They closed in 2018 to go the food truck route and opened a day cart in late 2020 at Reading Terminal Market.

Sweet T’s spot will be on the market’s Arch Street side, where Metropolitan Bakery was. (Metro’s baked goods are now sold at Pennsylvania General Store across the aisle.) Reading Terming Market said Sweet T’s is believed to be the first Black-owned bakery in its history.

Sweet T’s Bakery’s line includes sweet potato pie, sweet potato pound cake, and sweet potato cheesecake along with four signature drinks. Whole cakes and pies will be available for purchase in-store or online through Mercato. Sweet T’s will also offer cakes and pies by the slice, as well three-inch personal pies.

The bakery will operate Tuesday through Saturday, and grow to be open daily by fall.