Two cupcake shops enter the market

Two cupcake business opened this month, joining the local lineup of shops specializing in sweet treats.  

Franchise chain Gigi’s Cupcakes opened Sept. 23, following the opening of startup Star Cakes on Sept. 3. The two enter a market with such shops as The Cup and Alexandria’s Cupcake Cottage.

On Sept. 23, Gigi’s Cupcakes opened a 1,750-square-foot location at 900 E. Battlefield Ste. 124 in Battlefield Marketplace.

The Springfield location of Gigi’s Cupcake’s, under management by Branson-based franchisee Let Them Eat Cake LLC, is the first Missouri store for the Franklin, Tenn.-based chain.

Springfield Gigi’s Cupcakes owner Kim Wheeler said the population and employee base, as well as nearby colleges, marked Springfield as an ideal location.

“This is the type of market that Gigi’s really embraces,” Wheeler said.

There are currently 42  Gigi’s Cupcakes locations in 16 states, with the possibility of up to 50 by year-end. Gigi's Cupcakes sells roughly 10 million cupcakes annually, according to a news release.

Gigi’s Cupcakes offers more than 10 kinds of cupcakes on their daily menu as well as daily specials and seasonal menus. The Springfield Gigi’s operates from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-4 p.m. on Sunday.

Independent shop Star Cakes is open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and is located in 1,300 square feet at 1364 E. Republic Road in the same strip mall as frozen yogurt shop Orange Leaf. Star Cakes offers cupcakes, cookies and cakes and is managed by husband-and-wife Ted and Lisa Cothran.

Lisa Cothran said she likes to be creative in the kitchen, so Star Cakes has about eight to 12 different flavors daily and about 20 flavors overall.

Ted and Lisa Cothran recently moved to Springfield from Kansas City, where cupcake shops were plentiful, Lisa Cothran said.

"The market was already flooded in Kansas City, and we only saw maybe two or three (shops) down here," she added. "Plus, we had friends and family already down here."[[In-content Ad]]