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After months of construction, planning, and facing pandemic obstacles, Babylon Mercantile is officially open for business in the old “Daily” building, next to its neighbors The Boutique and Hitch Handmade Market.
Donna Sesto, owner of the shop located at 45 East Main Street, grew up around cooking enthusiasts — her family has always had a passion for food and her childhood consisted of all things culinary.
The front of the “house,” as Sesto calls it, at Babylon Mercantile consists of cookware and kitchenware, dry goods, provisions, and other products.
The back area is the Cookshop, which features a full kitchen that mirrors both a home kitchen and professional atmosphere with residential and industrial appliances.
The space is for both beginner cooks and professional chefs well-versed in the industry.
“I just remember growing up and coming home from school and instead of like watching cartoons, I was watching the PBS cooking shows,” Sesto said. “I’ve always loved food and the art of cooking, and I’ve always been interested in learning about it.”
Her career started in financial technologies, specifically e-commerce and international business.
“Just from traveling internationally, I was exposed to different types of food, different types of cooking,” she said. “It was a great way to make connections to all different cultures.”
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Babylon Mercantile will soon offer private classes and events with their executive chef, DyAnne Iandoli.
The shop’s public cooking classes, tastings, book signings and other culinary events will be available starting January 2021.
She also plans to partner with other restaurants in the area that would be interested in running their own cooking classes.
“There’s [few] places that you can go and have a center for those who love to cook,” she said. “I want to do kids classes, senior classes, date night, all different types of cooking classes.”
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Sesto’s focus is using products that are unique, handpicked goods and seasonings from all over the world.
The pandemic became an obstacle to get her business up and running, due to the difficulty of getting the domestic and international products she desired.
She didn’t mind holding off on opening, as the delay gave her more time to create the most safe environment for cooking classes.
Sesto hopes the private cooking classes will serve as a fun activity for families and friends during this time.
“It’s just your own private place,” Sesto said. “Your cooking classes might be you and 10 of your friends, and that’s it.”
For more information on classes and products to choose from, visit Babylon Mercantile’s website, as well as their Instagram for updates.
Below are photos of the new Babylon Mercantile.
Top: The Cookshop located in the back of the Babylon Mercantile.
