Dank bakery opens in Midtown, hopes to satisfy late-night cravings

Hungry students leaving Midtown bars now have a new option for late-night munchies.

Dank Cakes, a bakery stand that sells fried Oreos and funnel cakes, opened Wednesday night outside the Baptist Collegiate Ministries on West University Avenue.

Started by two Gainesville entrepreneurs, the business will operate from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. from Wednesday to Sunday.

Gene Gamble, a co-owner, said the stand should appeal to both students and families, although Midtown patrons will likely make up a large chunk of his sales.

“I can guarantee that people are going to have more memories at Dank Cakes than they actually had at the bar,” Gamble said.

Prices for the stand’s sweet treats range from $5 to $9, and toppings include Nutella, ice cream and fresh bananas. A portion of the stand’s revenues will be paid to the Baptist student center, Gamble said.

Gamble runs the stand with Alexander Black, a UF alumnus who co-owns Gainesville-based UFit Meals. Gamble, a University of South Florida alumnus, owns a company that makes smoking accessories, and he once managed U.S. swimmer and UF alumnus Ryan Lochte’s short-lived TV show.

Gamble said he and Black plan to eventually expand to a physical store but are currently focused on marketing Dank Cakes.

Andrew Congress, a UF event management senior, tried the stand’s fried Oreos on Friday night.

“It was like an explosion of chocolate and, like, indulgence,” he said.

After Congress took a bite, he closed his eyes and tilted his head back before raising his chocolate-covered hands.

“See that?” Black said. “That’s the dank face.”

Andrew Congress, a UF event management senior, smiles after finishing his fried Oreos. “A Dank Cake a day keeps the stomach happy,” he said.