What started as a healing project in Claudia Aponte's home kitchen has blossomed into one of Miami's most talked-about dessert shops. Inspired by trips to Spain and fueled by the memory of her late daughter Camila, Aponte’s cheesecakes first gained traction at local farmers markets and café counters before opening their first brick-and-mortar in August 2024 near Coral Way and Little Havana.
Now, Aponte and her husband Alex have expanded westward. Shoma Bazaar is now home to the bakery's signature cheesecakes, including bestsellers like the classic almond Basque (a tribute to Camila), pistachio, Nutella, and the Dessert Wars-winning maple bacon and pecan.
The new kiosk officially opened its doors on April 1, offering locals in Doral and beyond a new place to grab a slice — or an entire cheesecake. Slices start at $12, with full cakes priced from $75. A menu of cafecito drinks is also available.
Camila's Shoma Bazaar spot joins a growing list of ways fans can get their cheesecake fix: a kiosk at The Plaza Coral Gables, shelves at Mr. Bean Coffee Shop at the Falls and Books & Books in Coral Gables, and at several area restaurants, including Stiltsville Fish Bar in Miami Beach and Sapore di Mare in Coconut Grove.
"I have been very open with my story," Aponte told New Times. Her story is the purpose of Camila's and makes the business what it is today. "Many women specifically have been through the same experience, and to become an inspiration for someone else, I think, is the best part of this journey," she said. Although the pain her family has experienced from the loss will never heal, being open about it has helped her find her way out of the initial isolation bubble.
Another meaningful part of Aponte's healing has been giving back through her business. Each year, a portion of Aponte's sales is donated to Nico's Promise, a Nicklaus Children's Hospital program that provides grief counseling for families who have lost a child. Aponte also lends her support to ICU Baby, a local organization that offers financial aid and emotional support to parents with infants in neonatal intensive care.
Despite the expansion, Aponte has made it clear she's not chasing rapid growth. "Being conscious about the product" comes first, she told New Times. Still, plans for nationwide shipping are in the works, giving cheesecake lovers across the country something to look forward to. For now, Miamians can savor the flavors — and the story — behind each slice at the newest outpost of the bakery born from love, loss, and one family’s determination to keep Camila's memory alive, one creamy bite at a time.
Camila's Patisserie. 9420 NW 41st St., Doral; camilaspatisserie.com
