HOBOKEN — Many customers outside Carlo's Bake Shop on Friday said they were disappointed that the business' famed owner was arrested on drunken driving charges— but not enough to keep them away from the Cake Boss' pastries.
"I was kind of surprised by the whole thing," said Mary DePinto, of West New York. "If he's guilty of it, then he should be charged. Just because you're a celebrity, doesn't mean you should get away with anything."
She noted that she would continue to go to the bakery for its apple turnovers.
Just one day after his arrest, patrons could be seen posing under the bakery's iconic sign — a fairly typical sight on Washington Street, given the bakery's jolt in popularity after TLC's show "Cake Boss" first aired in 2009.
The show's star, Buddy Valastro, 37, was arrested in New York City Thursday morning after police stopped his yellow 2014 Chevy Corvette for swerving in and out of his lane on 10th Avenue, according to authorities. A spokeswoman for the city's Deputy Commissioner's Office told NJ Advance Media that Valastro's blood alcohol content was .08, but a criminal complaint provided by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office on Friday indicated that it was actually .09. When asked about the discrepancy, representatives said the commissioner's office is not authorized to release information on Breathalyzer results.
Valastro was arraigned Thursday evening on charges of driving while intoxicated and driving while impaired. According to prosecutors, Valastro repeatedly told police that he was "not a bad a guy" and implored that he be put in a cab home, instead of being arrested.
"You can't arrest me! I'm the Cake Boss!" he told police, according to prosecutors.
Domenick Amato, who said he was friends with Valastro's late father, suggested that some sort of stress — such as a recent death in the family— may have triggered Thursday morning's episode. He stressed that he was speculating, but that he believed there had to be more to the story.
"He's a good kid," he said. "There's got to be some kind of pressure."
A representative for Valastro did not return calls for comment.
Buddy Valastro of Carlo's City Hall Bake Shop; stands in front of his landmark shop in Hoboken.
Valstro and his attorneys have remained quiet about the incident. Late on Thursday, Valastro released a statement on his arrest.
"To all my family, friends, fans and supporters, please know that I want to share and explain to you what happened today and I look forward to doing so at a later date," he said. "I appreciate your support and understanding as we handle things privately as a family."
Customers expressed some concern over the arrest but said it wouldn't stop them from shopping at Valastro's flagship bakery.
"I think it's unfortunate," Christine Grywalski, who recently moved to Hoboken, said of the arrest. When asked if it would stop her from going to the bakery, she said, "Oh, no. We'll still come. Nothing would affect my eating."
Other patrons were indifferent to the arrest.
"That's his life. It doesn't affect me," said Donald Roberts, who was visiting from Georgia.
"It doesn't affect his career. He's still a good baker," his wife, Julia, added.
Glen and Linda Demark, of Georgia, said they heard about Valastro's arrest when they arrived in Hudson County on Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas cruise ship. Glen Demark said that Valastro shouldn't get special treatment from law enforcement, but he said that he didn't think all the media attention surrounding his arrest was warranted.
"He's just a regular person. He shouldn't be treated any different," he said. "It doesn't mean that the whole world needs to be involved. It shouldn't even be a topic of discussion. He made a mistake. We all do."
"Trust me, the punishment he's getting from his wife is probably worse than anything else," Linda Demark said.
As news of Valastro's arrest developed throughout the day, some NJ.com readers lambasted the baker.
merlyn
"This is a personal matter for Buddy and his family."
After putting everyone in his path in danger, I don't agree that it's strictly personal; DWI shows a careless disregard for others, including one's family.
Celebrity goes to peoples' heads, and they just don't seem to realize that someone else will soon be found to take their place. I'm remain anonymous and be glad I'll never have to suffer that ignominy.
I've never seen the show and don't know how big a "star" this guy is.....but is anybody that stupid to think they can't get arrested for DWI because they have a TV show ? So how'd that work out for ya there Dopey ?
AceAlagno
We always ask why they don't hire a car, ride in the back and be safe? In the end, he did get a ride in the back, of a police car.
_________________________
Other readers were more sympathetic:
Wow a whole lot of angry jealous people in NJ/NY. Lots of reveling in some ones misfortune.Especially a hardworking successful person. 2 years ago he would not have been DUI as the limits were lowered to .08 from .10. The cops have wide discretion and looks like they twisted themselves into a pretzel to develop the probable cause to arrest him, then he blows a .08. The cops should have put him in a cab. A good lawyer will trash that .08 in court. Buddy has a bakery in Vegas he should relocate there where America still exists, and he has nice weather and roads to drive that vette.
cc florio
Why Do Some People Get Such Enjoyment Out Of Other People Misery? DUI Can Happen To Anyone, Even Our Leaders. President G.W. Bush, Vice President Cheney And So On. Instead Of Celebrating Someone Else's Misfortune I Think A Pray Or Two And Try To Be Considerate Of Others. GOD BLESS EVERYONE!
polyhack
This drunk driving crap is a little too much it seems the country violating everyones civil rights just to make revuneue for the town!
Kathryn Brenzel may be reached at kbrenzel@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @katiebrenzel. Find NJ.com on Facebook.