Desserts by Rita is a small, famous bakery based in Bishopville, Maryland. Rita Curry, the owner and operator, grew up in Harford County and then moved to Ocean City, Maryland, in the 1970’s and worked as a cake creator for both the Garden Restaurant on 145th Street and Fager’s Island on 60th Street & the Bay. Rita, already known for her sweet touch, was approached by the owner of the Garden in 1977 and asked to sweeten up their dessert menu. That’s when the tropical Rita’s Delight was born. In 1978, she was asked by Fager’s Island to create a dessert menu and that’s when the “Lemon Lust” was born. (This original Lemon Lust can only be bought from Rita…often imitated, never duplicated!) By 1985, she opened her first retail store in the 45th Street Shopping Village. Rita’s determination and dedication to the craft and the fine quality of her desserts has paid off. Her second retail location blossomed in 1994 in the little town of Bishopville (now closed) in the renovated old Post Office, which quickly became a landmark for 14 years. In 2000, the Havre de Grace location opened and is managed by her sister, Cindy King (now closed) and in 2008, she moved her Bishopville retail store to West Ocean City, Trader’s Lee’s Village. Rita is hands-on, daily, in her kitchen, overseeing the baking, assembly, decoration, boxing and delivery of her desserts (TLC!) Her loyal and friendly staff is always upbeat and hard-working. Each dessert is custom-made for a potential customer (whether it’s a wedding cake or a small Lemon Lust) ensuring the highest quality ingredients for each. Rita strongly believes in the finest ingredients. This belief is evident in the rich fudge and smooth vanilla butter cream frostings that surround her moist yellow and devil’s food cakes. Earning her the title “Ocean City’s Queen of Cream,” her homemade whipped cream tops such favorites as the “Black Russian” (a devil’s food cake with a coffee glaze); the “Lemon Lust” (a creamy cheese layer with lemon filling in a pecan crust); a glorified cream pie or her claim-to-fame “Rita’s Delight” (a moist yellow cake with custard, pineapple, fresh whipped cream and sprinkled coconut). Rita’s has been awarded multiple time ‘Best Desserts’ by Metropolitan Magazine during their annual contest for “Best of the Eastern Shore.” She graced the cover of Shore Women Magazine in 2010 and has had numerous articles written about her. Loyal customers rave about their purchases in thank you notes and return visits. Many customers comment that their guests eat seconds and thirds leaving no leftovers. Her wedding cakes are “The Bomb! Contact us to arrange a tasting and to discuss details.
