How Sweet it is to Show Love with Sweets
By Lisa Cordiano | Photography by Casey Martin
At a time in history when the corporate mindset of pushing product and increasing the bottom line can often seem overwhelming, manipulative and ubiquitous, it is refreshing to meet an entrepreneur whose priorities are to create fresh, high-quality baked goods and pastries, made with love and intention to serve her community. Meet Sarah O’Brien, maiden name Sarah Ann Parrish (SAP), owner, baker and pâtissier at Sweeter Than SAP Bakery, located at 765 York Road in Gettysburg.
The baking bug bit Sarah at a very young age. “I started baking when I was 8,” she recalls. “The first thing I remember baking was a cake. Mom and Dad aren’t bakers, but they let me experiment in the kitchen.” That early spark carried her through high school, where she enrolled in culinary courses and began to imagine a future she hadn’t previously realized was possible. “I didn’t know you could bake cakes for a career,” she says. “But once I figured that out, I knew I wanted to have my own bakery.”
She pursued that dream with focus, determination and support from a loving family. After attending Adams County’s high school tech prep program for culinary arts, she enrolled at Johnson & Wales University, where she earned a degree in Baking and Pastry Arts and Food Service Management. But her business didn’t begin after graduation—it had already taken root in high school, when Sarah began selling cupcakes to friends and teachers. Her dad helped her with late night dishes, and her mom helped with packaging.
In college, Sarah expanded her reach through vendor events, shows and markets, eventually securing a spot at the Marketplace at Gettysburg. There, she spent a year-and-a-half building a loyal customer base and refining her offerings. “I knew I wanted a brick-and-mortar storefront,” she says, “but I had to develop a customer base first.” She opened her first store in downtown Gettysburg in August 2023.
Growth came quickly and, with it, new challenges. Limited parking and a cramped kitchen made it difficult to keep up with demand. When the opportunity arose to move to her current location on York Road, Sarah didn’t hesitate. The building, however, required vision—and a lot of work.
“It used to be a Tobacco Hut,” she explains. “The walls were dark brown, and the windows were boarded up—it even had a cigar room.” Undeterred, Sarah rolled up her sleeves and began demolition herself, tearing down walls and reimagining the space when she wasn’t working at the downtown location. With the help of contractors, the building was transformed: new floors, lighting, windows, countertops and updated HVAC brought the bakery to life. Today, the space is bright, welcoming and accessible, with ample parking that seems to contribute significantly to even higher traffic than her previous location.
Despite the growth, Sarah remains committed to the values that set Sweeter Than SAP apart. “Everything is from scratch,” she emphasizes. She and her sister-in-law Amber are the primary bakers. Her mom handles the marketing of the business, and her husband, brothers and dad are available to lend a hand when Sarah needs them.
Other family members and a handful of part-time employees round out the staff. “I love having a small staff,” she says. “It keeps things personal. We know each other, we check in—that’s important to me.” This personal attention also extends to ingredients, which are thoughtfully sourced, including eggs from Weikert’s and seasonal fruits from Hollabaugh’s. Everything in the store is made in small batches to ensure quality and freshness.
The bakery is open Friday through Sunday, with Wednesday and Thursday reserved for appointments for special orders, like wedding cakes. “But we’re still baking to prep for the week on the days that we’re closed,” Sarah says.
Standout offerings include cinnamon rolls—described by customers as “the size of a hubcap.” Regulars will often arrive right at 9 a.m. to get them fresh. Cheesecakes are another top seller, along with éclairs, which Sarah describes as both technically challenging and deeply satisfying to create. “They’re more fun than cupcakes,” she says with a smile. But that doesn’t stop Sarah and her small-but-mighty team from producing 50 dozen cupcakes each week.
In addition to delicious everyday offerings, the bakery also produces special events and seasonal menus. From doughnut bars and cinnamon roll bars with multiple flavors to monthly “happy hour” events, where everything is offered at half price, Sarah keeps her customers engaged. Seasonal specialties like strawberry shortcake in the summer and apple-based treats in the fall reflect both her skill and her connection to local producers.
Sweeter Than SAP also proudly engages in local small business partnerships. Gettysburg Eddie’s includes Sarah’s chocolate mousse cake and cheesecakes on their menu, and Mr. G’s Ice Cream purchases specialty items to use as “mix-ins” for their distinctive ice cream flavors. These relationships not only expand her reach; they also reinforce her commitment to supporting fellow local businesses.
Most importantly, that sense of connection extends to her customers. Many are locals who have followed her journey from the beginning, and Sarah takes pride in maintaining those relationships. Even as demand increases, she is intentional about growing at a pace that preserves the integrity of her work. “I want the business to grow,” she says, “but not so much that we lose sight of what matters just to get product out the door.”
Sweeter Than SAP is a testament to what can happen when passion, persistence and purpose come together. In a world increasingly driven by speed and scale, Sarah has chosen a different path—one rooted in craftsmanship, community and care. And for the customers who line up each weekend to taste something truly special, it’s clear: her approach is not only working—it’s sweeter than sap.
Sweeter than Sap
756 York Road, Gettysburg
717-420-2337
Monday – Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday – Thursday: By appointment only
Friday – Saturday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.