The viral baker known for her “center bite cinnamon rolls” has been ordered to cease operations.
Mama Llama Bakery has been ordered to cease operations by Aug. 20 by Clark County Code Enforcement, said owner Lindsay Skolnik.
The bakery, which is run out of Skolnik’s Las Vegas home, has gone viral for its cinnamon rolls, amassing over 130,000 Instagram followers, and over 5,000 people waiting to get their hands on the sweet treats twice weekly.
Skolnik is a licensed “cottage baker” by Southern Nevada Health District, which allows her to make baked goods “in a non-permitted food establishment setting for sale directly to an end consumer,” says the SNHD website.
Cottage bakers also have a $35,000 cap on their gross sales, which Skolnik said she has not met.
Customers pick up their items from Skolnik’s home twice a week, with pick-up times spaced out throughout the day, called “porch pickups.” Around three to five customers are scheduled to come at different times during the day.
“It was the only way that I was able to stay home with my babies and bring in an extra income,” said Skolnik about her bakery and porch pickups.
But now, the final day for porch pickup is Aug. 16, with Clark County Code Enforcement saying she must cease product pickups at the home.
A complaint was made against Skolnik to Clark County Code Enforcement, which prompted code enforcement officers to send her a notice of violation. According to the notice, which was obtained by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the violation was for having customers pick up orders at the door.
According to the violation, Clark County Code Enforcement said Skolnik must “cease and desist the use of the residential property as business,” or obtain all waivers to do so.
A Clark County spokesperson told the Review-Journal Skolnik was in violation of a Clark County Code that prohibits on-site clients and customers. Additionally, the spokesperson said Skolnik does not have a business license, which is required. Skolnik said she does have a business license and the license can be found in the Clark County Business License Search under Mama Llama Bakery. It was issued on April 23.
“I thought I was in the clear,” said Skolnik to the Review-Journal. “I got my business license. I have an LLC. I have the approval from the Southern Nevada Health District. Even before I started all this, I reached out to my HOA and told them what I was doing and I got approval from my landlord.”
Now, Skolnik said other licensed cottage bakers are “scared” after seeing her being forced to cease operations and hopes to “get a petition together or do something to help change these laws.”
“It’s just not fair,” said Skolnik. “I’ve also given so many other cottage bakers hope that they can also make an income at home if they’re living on one income.”
Plans going forward
Skolnik has applied to sell at farmer’s markets, but has yet to receive approval. Regardless, she believes she has surpassed the demand for a food truck, saying she “would not be able to handle the inventory” needed.
“My plans from here are obviously to look for a space, a brick and mortar,” said Skolnik. “I definitely would love to look for a space available to open up a Mama Llama Bakery.”
She already has a lease for a commissary kitchen, but cannot start baking there until she is approved for a commercial license, which she applied for in July, and she said can take around six to eight weeks for approval.
“Once I get my license, it’s game on,” said Skolnik.
For now, customers can buy the recipe and baking guide on her website for $24.99, as well as an online masterclass for $87.
Contact Emerson Drewes at edrewes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @EmersonDrewes on X.
