Great quality cinnamon buns are available in Congers, and you don’t need to feel guilty about indulging in them.  Dana Reyes, 43, of Valley Cottage has owned and operated “Just Buns” since October 2009.  The small shop has fresh baked goods, coffee, specialty deserts, and a different soup each week. 

Reyes was in Human Resources consulting for over 20 years until she decided to take on her true passion, baking swirly buns.    

 “After the economy went under, I decided to take a leap of faith and left corporate America to open up the shop,” Reyes said.

It all began when Reyes’s mother in law taught her the 50-year-old recipe for cinnamon buns.  She then took the recipe into her own hands and she and her husband started experimenting with different flavors.   They shared their product at gatherings with friends and family, and received positive feedback.

 “People loved them so much they encouraged me to open up a shop.  That’s what gave me this idea.”  Reyes said. 

All of the buns are made from scratch, with pure ingredients every morning.  After everything is laid out and prepared, the buns go into the proofer, which combines heat and humidity in order for them to rise. 

Reyes has over 30 flavors including a special flavor each month.  In addition to being delicious, they are also low in fat and sugar.  Nevertheless, many customers get the impression that they are the unhealthiest food in the place.  

“Customers tend to go for the bagels thinking they are less calories, when in fact it’s much more than the buns.  The original cinnamon bun is only 220 calories with six grams of fat, nine grams of sugar, and no trans fat,” Reyes said.

The location on Lake Road is not ideal, but events such as local street fairs and word of mouth lure in customers.  Jill Burger of New City is a vocational rehabilitation counselor in White Plains, and is a frequent “Just Buns” shopper after discovering Reyes at the last Nyack Street fair.  Since then, she makes it a point to pick up a dozen buns for her office on her morning commute. 

“I stop by there on my way to work and share a dozen with my co-workers.  They absolutely love them, as do I.  People around here use words like mouth-watering, and delicious!  My personal favorite has to be the cheese,” Burger said.

In the future, Reyes hopes to expand beyond Congers.  Currently, she caters a bit beyond the shop, including her old employer and friends’ parties.  However, her dream is to eventually franchise “Just Buns”.  Once more people discover the variety of appetizing buns that are available, this could be a possibility.

Major international chains such as “Cinnabon,” have a sticky fare with high fat and sugar content.  The “Just Buns” small operation turns tasty treats with fewer calories.  However, the store features more than the name lets on.  Stop by "Just Buns" at 33 Lake Road in Congers or call 845-589-0357. Visit www.swirlybuns.com to find out more including hours, the menu, and contact information.