Exciting Changes Coming to Milly’s Pantry in Penn Yan

At the core of everything at Milly's Pantry is their mission: Milly's Pantry supports Yates County children by addressing food security and academic readiness. Tackling poverty by empowering children and their families through their Weekend Backpack and School Supply programs, ensuring every child has the resources they need to thrive.

Big changes are on the horizon at Milly’s Pantry! Denise Taylor, director of Milly’s Pantry said, “After thoughtful consideration, the Milly’s Market Committee has decided to retire our lunch service. While we’ll miss serving up daily meals, we’re thrilled to share that many of our beloved soups will still be available—just in a new format. They’ll now be part of our frozen grocery selection, ready for you to enjoy at home.”

But change also brings opportunity. They're reimagining their little café into a Sweet Café, inspired by Milly’s timeless philosophy: “Every child deserves something sweet.” With no official dessert bakery in town, they see this as the perfect chance to bring something special to Penn Yan.

The transition is already underway! They’re preparing a variety of frozen pies and cookie dough, cheesecakes, cakes, muffins, cookies, scones, and more. While the full Sweet Café experience doesn’t officially launch until February 2026, they’re busy building inventory and upgrading equipment to make it the sweetest spot in town.

And there’s more to celebrate: Milly’s Pantry proudly holds the title of the largest Finger Lakes-made artisan food and gift store in Yates County. With nearly 200 handcrafted items sourced entirely from the Finger Lakes Region, plus their unique Old-Fashioned Soda Fountain, they continue to offer a one-of-a-kind experience for the Penn Yan community and visitors.

Watch for the 2026 grand re-opening of their four-story building! This exciting expansion will bring new youth programs, culinary and wellness classes, family and community events, and private rental opportunities for their ballroom, commercial kitchen, and more. It’s a big step forward in Milly’s mission to serve, delight, and inspire the Finger Lakes community.

Denise said, “We can’t wait to share the next chapter with you—full of sweetness, local flavor, and all the charm you’ve come to love at Milly’s Pantry!” And Denise, neither can we!

Milly's Pantry