Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles

[Townsend]

Strange combo with the other two stores but sounds like a cool concept.  Amazing how fast that building filled up.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/article.aspx?subjectid=46&articleid=20101028_46_E1_CUTLIN195401

Elizabeth Ellison hopes her upcoming business is the icing on the cupcake for the Blue Dome district's growing array of restaurants.

With flavors such as banana honey and chocolate espresso, the Tulsa entrepreneur and Spirit Award finalist plans to open a bakery called Hi, Cupcake in the area east of downtown in January.

"Our definition of cupcakes is a little different from others'," said Ellison, daughter of former Mayor Kathy Taylor. "We make anything you can fit into a cupcake pan."

In addition to traditional high-end cupcakes with gourmet ingredients, she plans to bake savory cupcakes with bacon and cheese as well as cupcake-size quiches.

Hi, Cupcake will be in the Lee's Bicycles building at Second Street and Frankfort Avenue, which also is home to the Fleet Feet running store. The bakery will be final occupant of the renovated 14,000-square-foot building.

The 2,700-square-foot shop will have a bakery as well as retail and small dining areas.

Ellison, who is running the business with co-manager and marketing director Christina Merlo, said she hopes to use the downtown locale to appeal to corporate clients interested in having cupcakes catered to events and meetings.

Hi, Cupcake will also make gluten-free cupcakes, vegan specialties and use locally sourced ingredients.

Ellison said she hopes to use other eco-friendly products to make the restaurant almost completely green.

The entrepreneur caught cupcake fever while attending law school at the University of Oklahoma and decided to pursue the idea after graduating.

"I was spending more time baking cupcakes for my study group than anything else," she said.

Earlier this year she and Merlo joined the SpiritBank/Tulsa Community College Entrepreneurial Spirit Award competition. The duo didn't win, but their strong showing was enough to spur them to open the business.

Ellison said she has been inventing and perfecting cupcake recipes during the last six months through the catering arm of her business.

 

[RecycleMichael]

All you exercisers have the running store and the biking shop.

Finally, a place for me.

[sgrizzle]

Cupcake stores are a trend that is gaining momentum but I think the placement is wrong. Hard to pay the rent on 2,700 sq feet of space in a predominately bar district selling 3 sq inches of cake.

[SXSW]

Cupcake stores are a trend that is gaining momentum but I think the placement is wrong. Hard to pay the rent on 2,700 sq feet of space in a predominately bar district selling 3 sq inches of cake.

Agree, this seems more of a fit in Brookside (like the old Kokoa/Caramel space) or Utica Square (vacant Crabtree & Evelyn space)..

[Renaissance]

The article says they're trying to capture the downtown office market.  I'd think a storefront closer to Main Mall might make sense, but I see what they're trying to do in Blue Dome.  Best of luck...

[Townsend]

I'm guessing the pockets are pretty deep and they can last for a while even if business doesn't start off briskly.

[Conan71]

Cupcake stores are a trend that is gaining momentum but I think the placement is wrong. Hard to pay the rent on 2,700 sq feet of space in a predominately bar district selling 3 sq inches of cake.

Emphasis on trend.

I hope Adam gets a good chunk of rent up front.

[rdj]

Emphasis on trend that has already passed in major markets.

It is good to have another day time spot open in the Blue Dome.  Now if Lyon's Indian Store will ever get moved into the Ridgeway's space at 1st & Detroit.

[sgrizzle]

Emphasis on trend that has already passed in major markets.

It is good to have another day time spot open in the Blue Dome.  Now if Lyon's Indian Store will ever get moved into the Ridgeway's space at 1st & Detroit.

I noticed Ridgeways was empty. Maybe the cupcakery should've gone next to Mazzios.

[mobboss]

hello tulsa.

agreed, in other parts of the usa, the cupcake trend has peaked but im still a sucker for good red velvet

[zstyles]

Ya I see a short term tenant here....geeesh..really? the place on 71st has lost most of its charm from what I saw last time I went in there...I went a year ago..a few cupcakes left for sale..the other day..three-four rows left over....

[SXSW]

Ya I see a short term tenant here....geeesh..really? the place on 71st has lost most of its charm from what I saw last time I went in there...I went a year ago..a few cupcakes left for sale..the other day..three-four rows left over....

I think they will do fine if they can get their catering business off the ground.  Though I still think 2nd & Frankfurt is an odd location for them but I'm looking forward to trying it.

[BKDotCom]

Scratch the cupcake business.
"Vixen studios" is well along in their build out of the space next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles.
Some women's fitness joint that seems to be going for the birthday n bachelorette party crowd.

[carltonplace]

That's an interesting business model for a building with so much glass on its street side.

[Nik]

When does it open?