Gourmet cupcakery coming to Red Deer
Sex in The City, The Pink Lady and Head In The Clouds are names you might expect to find on the drink list in a lounge.
But they’re the edible creations of Andrea Fox and Diana Knapton, who will open the door to their babycakes cupcakery on Monday.
As the name of the 144 Erickson Dr. business suggests, babycakes cupcakery will specialize in cupcakes.
But instead of the plain, icing-topped circular cakes you might have last encountered at a school bake sale, Fox and Knapton’s “gourmet cupcakes” will contain ingredients like Madagascar bourbon vanillas, liqueurs, European cocoas and fruit extracts and purées.
They plan to do all of their baking in-house, shunning artificial flavourings and colours.
“There will probably be 14 or 15 different ones every day,” said Fox, adding that a dozen will remain permanently on the menu.
Feature items like kids’ cupcakes and special happy hour cupcakes with liqueur frostings rotated in will be served too.
Also available will be mini-cupcakes, as well as pupcakes for dogs.
“They look like a mini-cupcake, only they’re dog friendly and they’re made with all-natural ingredients again, with carob frosting or yogurt frosting,” said Fox.
Other canine treats will include beef liver bow-wownies with cranberries and yogurt drizzle.
Lattes, cappuccinos and other specialty coffees and beverages will also be sold.
Those skeptical about the viability of a cupcake shop should look to Calgary or Edmonton, where cupcakeries are thriving.
Knapton said the idea originated in New York about a decade ago and has since spread. She became familiar with cupcakeries while living in Vancouver and suggested the concept to Fox when the two women were contemplating a business for Red Deer.
About a year and a half ago, they began developing recipes and formulating a business plan.
The pair visited cupcakeries in Vancouver, Calgary a nd Edmonton and researched others on the Internet.
Knapton and Fox considered buying a franchise, but decided against it.
“We weighed the pros and cons and we were so far along with our own unique ideas and recipes — we loved the creative aspect of it — that we felt we would be way too limited,” explained Knapton.
Babycakes cupcakery’s premises resemble a 1950s diner, with a black-and-white checkered floor and lime-coloured walls. The floor in one corner is raised, and might be used by musicians or for readings, said Fox.
The atmosphere suits the product, suggested Knapton, who describes cupcakes as a “retro-sheikh food” that has become popular at celebrity events.
The partners plan to operate the business themselves, including baking early every morning.
That’s meant putting their careers — Fox is a registered nurse and Knapton a dental hygienist — on hold.
They are optimistic babycakes cupcakery will attract a thriving walk-in trade and also large orders for gifts and special events. Among its products are cupcake bouquets, a consumable alternative to flowers.
The business will be open Monday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Contact Harley Richards at hrichards@reddeeradvocate.com
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