One of Brooklyn’s oldest and most popular bakeries was honored today going green.
Borough President Marty Markowitz joined the staff of Mrs. Maxwell’s Bakery to present the East New York cake joint with a proclamation declaring August 9th 2011, “Mrs. Maxwell’s Bakery ‘Go Green’ Celebration Day.”
The bakery, which opened its store at 2700 Atlantic Avenue in 1928, was commended for its many years serving Brooklyn residents and for “going green” through a Con Edison small business energy efficiency program.
“Mrs. Maxwell’s Bakery has satisfied the sweet tooth of Brooklynites since 1928 in the very same location on Atlantic Avenue and I commend them for taking their long-standing business to the next level by ‘going green,” the Beep said. “Con Edison’s program is a win-win, and I hope that Mrs. Maxwell’s successful example will encourage many other small businesses to do the same.”
Sam Naraiswar, vice president and general manager of the bakery received the proclamation.
“We’re thrilled with the results of the program and are honored to receive this proclamation from Borough President Markowitz,” said Naraiswar. “Not only do we now have better lighting in key areas of the bakery, but we’re also saving over $7,000 on our energy costs annually.”
Con Edison’s Small Business Direct Install Program provided a free energy survey for Mrs. Maxwell’s Bakery, which revealed a number of lighting upgrades that would help the business save money and energy.
Con Edison provided 71 free CFL lamps, replaced 86 additional fluorescent fixtures and lamps and installed 14 LED lamps. Since Con Edison paid 70 percent of the cost of recommended improvements, Mrs. Maxwell’s paid only 30 percent out-of-pocket. Because Mrs. Maxwell’s is now saving over $7,075 on energy costs annually, the investment paid for itself in less than five months.
Of the 68,000 eligible small businesses in Brooklyn, more than 5,000 are participating in the program and will realize a combined savings of some $65 million as a result of the upgrades.