Cake Pop Co. to close storefront

The Cake Pop Co. LLC this week plans to close its retail operation.

Owner Deb Lumos is closing the dessert company’s storefront April 1, when she’ll make the move to a catering company’s commercial kitchen and focus solely on wholesaling and special orders.

The sole employee, Lumos launched the retail side of the business in early 2011 at 1805 E. Seminole St. in the Tower Grove Shopping Center, two years after opening her Internet-based business.

Lumos said a combination of the center nearing a buyout and a decrease in walk-in traffic caused her to make the decision to close her storefront.

“It’s a timing thing,” she said, noting her lease is up at the center and she believes the buyer likely would increase her rent. “We didn’t feel like with our current walk-in traffic it would suffice to pay the additional rent.”

Lumos was unsure who’s buying Tower Grove. The nearly 48,000-square-foot was targeted for sale at $3.1 million, according to a listing by R.B. Murray Co. Vice President Ryan Murray could not be reached for comment by deadline. Greene County assessor and recorder records did not indicate a deal had been reached by owner Tower Grove Shopping Center Inc.

Cake Pop Co. will utilize Simply Delicious LLC’s kitchen at the Knights of Columbus banquet center, 2340 W. Grand St.

Lumos will continue to work full time at the venture, seeking to replace the 25-30 percent of sales the retail business provides with additional wholesale clients and special orders.

Mercy Hospital Springfield’s gift shop and Sweet Caroline's Cream and Coffee in Joplin currently carry her products, which include cake pops, cupcakes, cakes and cookies.

She’ll also continue to sell her treats nationally through her website to target $65,000 a year in sales, her average revenue.  

“We’ve been doing quite a few more corporate orders anyway,” Lumos said.