Ryan Gosling's Late-Night Shout-Out Propels Small Florida Bakery

The Cake Shop in Tallahassee sees surge of orders after actor's unexpected plug on 'Late Night with Seth Meyers'

Mar. 25, 2026 at 2:59am

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A small bakery in Tallahassee, Florida called The Cake Shop is experiencing a major business boom after actor Ryan Gosling unexpectedly praised their homemade 'Popped Tart' pastries during an appearance on 'Late Night with Seth Meyers'. Gosling revealed he had been enjoying the bakery's treats while hosting 'Saturday Night Live', leading to a flood of calls and orders from viewers.

Why it matters

This unexpected celebrity endorsement highlights how a simple mention on a national platform can dramatically impact a small, local business. The Cake Shop, which has been operating for over 25 years, is now seeing a surge of attention and demand that they weren't prepared for, demonstrating the power of word-of-mouth and the impact a celebrity can have, even unintentionally.

The details

During his interview, Gosling singled out The Cake Shop, praising their Pop Tart-style 'Popped Tarts' and urging viewers to order them. Gosling revealed that the bakery's owner, Linda Richards, is the sister of a 'Saturday Night Live' wardrobe supervisor, and that Gosling had been enjoying the pastries while hosting the show. The unexpected endorsement quickly led to a flood of calls and orders for the bakery, which had just closed for spring break when the segment aired.

  • Gosling appeared on 'Late Night with Seth Meyers' and mentioned The Cake Shop.
  • The Cake Shop was closed for spring break when Gosling's comments aired.

The players

Ryan Gosling

An acclaimed actor who appeared on 'Late Night with Seth Meyers' and unexpectedly praised The Cake Shop bakery.

Linda Richards

The owner of The Cake Shop bakery in Tallahassee, Florida, whose family recipes and homemade pastries were highlighted by Ryan Gosling.

Donna Richards

The sister of Linda Richards who works as a wardrobe supervisor on 'Saturday Night Live', connecting Ryan Gosling to The Cake Shop.

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What they’re saying

“She owns a bakery in Florida in Tallahassee, and they make the most incredible Pop Tarts. You have to order these Pop Tarts.”

— Ryan Gosling

“It was a total shock.”

— Linda Richards, Owner, The Cake Shop

“I mean, that's huge.”

— Linda Richards, Owner, The Cake Shop

What’s next

The Cake Shop is working to fulfill the surge of orders it has received since Ryan Gosling's unexpected endorsement on late-night TV.

The takeaway

This story demonstrates the powerful impact a celebrity endorsement can have, even if unintentional, on a small, local business. The Cake Shop, a long-standing bakery in Tallahassee, is now experiencing a business boom that they weren't prepared for, highlighting the importance of being ready to capitalize on unexpected opportunities for exposure.