Baking Home Across Cultures | Charlottesville News

When Neta Fitria arrived in Charlottesville in 2005, she was stunned by the lack of Southeast Asian buns—what she knew as home. That missing taste sparked Cloud Nine Bakery, a vibrant spot serving nostalgic pastries and buns inspired by her Indonesian roots. Self-taught through YouTube and calls to her mom, she turned childhood recipes into a thriving business after losing her teaching job due to budget cuts—but not before gaining a loyal fanbase who kept urging her to bake. Now a Farmer’s Market vendor at IX Art Park, she deliberately chooses accessible locations to serve SNAP users and bring comfort food to those craving familiar flavors. Her sesame balls, filled with sweet nostalgia, have become crowd favorites among Asian communities—and even curious newcomers drawn to unique ingredients like ube and pandan. As Cloud Nine celebrates its first anniversary this September, it’s more than a bakery—it’s a family affair, with her three sons and husband helping run the show, all while keeping home—and her kids—at the heart of everything. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/306c64078bc31689