When Toran Grays opened a modest 800-square-foot shop in La Mesa, California last March that sells only pudding, he never imagined that in less than a year he’d generate $400,000 in sales.
That figure is expected to spike now that he began shipping his 17 flavors of creamy dreaminess to anywhere in the country. The puddings are sent by Priority Mail through the U.S. Postal Service.
Grays opened Extraordinary Banana Pudding to honor his late great-grandmother, a native of Mississippi. It was her dream to open a pudding store of her own. While that never happened, Grays rose to the occasion last year; he gave up his manager job at a San Diego seafood company and started cranking out small batches of pudding using his grandmother’s cherished recipes.
The banana version was his family’s favorite, he recalls. It uses whole milk as the base, plus light cream and a touch of corn syrup for sheen. Slices of the fruit and wafer cookies also go into it.
His repertoire has grown ever since. Having started out with only a handful of flavors, he now offers additional options such as Oreo, chocolate-pistachio, banana-cheesecake and more.
As a comforting staple that most Americans spooned into while watching television as kids, it’s no wonder Grays’ retail shop has enjoyed steady traffic—especially during a pandemic. Its uniqueness as being the only pudding shop in the country, from what we can determine, adds further star power.
“Covid hasn’t affected my business. Sales are wonderful. And the community has been really supportive,” he said.
Dry-ice packing is used for all mail orders. Minimum purchases of $50 or more are required. That base price buys you either three or four 12-ounce containers of the puddings, or five or six 8-ounce containers. Shipping costs run about $20.
Orders can be placed by calling 619-642-6274.
(Photos courtesy of Extraordinary Banana Pudding)
OMG I have wanted to try this pudding since the Before COVID Times. Maybe I can have him mail me some now! So glad his shop is successful.