2009.10.09
Cupcakes for downtown Roanoke
A Roanoke cupcake shop is expanding, after only several months in business.
Lisa Lusk is making plans to open a second location for her South Roanoke cupcake eatery, Bubblecake. She's taking her sweet cupcake creations in all kinds of flavors to a small retail space at 16 W. Kirk Ave. in downtown Roanoke.
Success in South Roanoke has led Lusk to pursue a second venture in downtown, which she will call Bubblecake Cupcakes & Coffee. Lusk plans to bake her cupcakes in South Roanoke and do the finishing work in the Kirk Avenue space.
Business is hopping at her South Roanoke shop, where Lusk said she sells 600 to 1500 cupcakes a day.
Lusk told me that she chose a second location to cater to the downtown Roanoke office crowd. Often, downtown employees come to her South Roanoke shop on Crystal Spring Avenue for a sweet treat after lunch.
Lusk wants to be closer to this crowd of loyal customers. She's also hoping to make cupcake deliveries to downtown offices.
Demographically, 92 percent of Bubblecake's customers are women between 25 and 40 years old, she said.
Expect more focus on coffee offerings at the new Bubblecake shop, along with cupcakes, of course.
And look for Lusk's newest Bubblecake to open sometime in November.
woohoo
This is so exciting. Cupcakes from bubblecake are amazing!
My favorite is the red velvet with cheesecake icing.
Comment by Stephanie — October 9, 2009 @ 10:01 am
Jenny, It looks like there is a new venture slated to open in the old Trio spot. There is an ABC license notice on the window. The name is listed as Meze World Cafe. The date on the notice was 9/25.
Comment by Original Greg — October 9, 2009 @ 10:23 am
Yay!!!
Comment by Michelle — October 9, 2009 @ 1:12 pm
92% of her customers are women? Go figure!
Comment by Ricky — October 9, 2009 @ 1:19 pm
That is great news - and a great idea! I LOVE Bubblecake!
Comment by Jill — October 9, 2009 @ 2:00 pm
Its sad that we live in a town where cupcake business is booming and expanding but great establishments like Ukrop's fails here. :-\
Comment by Adam — October 9, 2009 @ 4:55 pm
Adam,
these inexperience business's like Cupcakes will be doomed to fail....Who ever heard of expanding based on three months in business? Expect Bubblecakes to bust it's bubble in a year, if that.
Comment by E. Duane Howard — October 10, 2009 @ 1:36 am
I'm not surprised that most of her clients are women, but I would expect that they're buying those cupcakes for their children and for birthday parties etc. I live near Bubblecake and if you look around at the women down there, they're not eating a lot of cupcakes!
Comment by Kristen — October 10, 2009 @ 8:02 am
Adam, I would say it's a good thing that a locally owned business like Bubblecake is thriving. It shows the willingness of local people to support local businesses, which is only a good thing for the community.
Comment by Kristen — October 10, 2009 @ 8:04 am
I've had these cupcakes. Way overpriced and overrated. Not worth the money.
Comment by Wilbur — October 10, 2009 @ 10:34 am
I'm glad that they will have a second location. I have been there 1 time. For the price you pay it was just ok. $2.50 & $4.00 is a little high for a cupcake but if you can afford it go for it.
Comment by Laura — October 10, 2009 @ 12:39 pm
Adam I agree, I can't imagine that those cuopcakes taste any better than the many wonderful cakes, pies, and other goodies Ukrop's has to offer. I only live in Roanoke to be here and help look after my mother. I will do my shopping elsewhere.
Comment by Catherine — October 10, 2009 @ 2:16 pm
Let's get something straight, this is about cupcakes and there is no fighting in cupcakes. You go Lisa ! Why not expand? We all love sugar!!!
Comment by yvonne — October 11, 2009 @ 1:49 pm
I'm just glad it's not another Attorney's office or art gallery on this block of Kirk Ave; Ed has done a great job with renovating the storefronts there.
I hope she open's early for breakfast, I would go with the bacon, egg and cheese cupcake myself.............
Comment by RT — October 11, 2009 @ 5:41 pm
There is also a new bakery coming to downtown, it called Bread Craft bakery it is located at 106S. Jefferson Street and looks like it could open at ant time.
Comment by David — October 12, 2009 @ 9:57 am
Great comment, Yvonne!!
Good luck, Lisa!
Comment by Lori — October 12, 2009 @ 10:42 am
Original Greg,
Lindsey Nair recently blogged about future plans at this former Trio space. Read about it here:
http://blogs.roanoke.com/rtblogs/fridgemagnet/2009/09/16/big-plans-for-former-trio-space/
Comment by Jenny Kincaid Boone — October 12, 2009 @ 10:50 am
E. Duane Howard-
Wow! Nothing like a little negativity, huh? How about applauding someone who's put their money on the line, worked really hard and is doing well? I wish Lisa, her family and her business continued success.
Comment by Roanoke Mom & Business Owner — October 12, 2009 @ 10:55 am
These comments about the price are ridiculous. I pay more for a KIDS cup of ice cream at Maggie Moo's, Cold Stone, etc. $2.50 won't get you half of a frappaccino at Starbucks. Personally, I'd rather pay for fresh baked anything than a pre-packaged ice cream or coffee beverage. The ice cream stores and Starbucks MAKE NOTHING. It all comes in the back door.
We should feel blessed that we have such fun new businesses making it to Roanoke. The more the merrier, let's support 'em.
Comment by Bruno Scarp — October 12, 2009 @ 10:55 pm
BTW, those cupcakes at bubblecake are awesome!
I work downtown and can't wait to get my extreme chocolates every day!
Comment by Bruno Scarp — October 12, 2009 @ 10:56 pm
Bruno
Cold Stone does make their ice cream in the store. It doesn't come in the back door. They build and decorate their ice cream cupcakes and cakes in the store as well.
Comment by Jamey — October 13, 2009 @ 3:13 pm
I live in the Annapolis Area of Md. but am a former Roanoker and VT Alum. I was reading on line about the re-hab of the City Market Bldg. The American Legion Drum & Bugle Corp practiced there on the second floor. The second floor was also the site of the first state Catholic High School Basketball Tournament in the State of Va. In reading the article about the re-hab, it brought to mind the trials and tribulations the City of Annapolis, MD has been through and is still going through when they undertook the task of updating the Market House located on Ego Alley in downtown Annapolis . They displaced going businesses, etc to up date the building about five years ago. To date, they are still dithering about what to do with the problems. The Roanoke newspaper would have a mother lode of information for a series on what to expect.
Comment by Leo Maier — October 28, 2009 @ 10:23 am