2009.10.20
Cupcakes in Grandin Village
The cupcake craze continues.
Yesterday, I noticed the beginnings of a bakery business in the Grandin Village area, inside the former location of Coda, a coffee shop, on Grandin Road in Roanoke.
The shop, called Viva La Cupcake, opens today, according to an email that I received from owner, Pennie Ahuero. Here's a link to the Viva La Cupcake Web site. The new shop specializes in catering for special events, but it also serves individual cupcakes and beverages, such as coffee and milk.
Once I find out some more details about this new cupcake enterprise, I'll pass them along to you.
Viva La Cupcake arrives just as the owner of Bubblecake, another local cupcake shop, said that she will be opening a second location in downtown Roanoke.
I dont get it, a cupcake business? now they are in competition? Wow Roanoke is really moving up in the world.
Comment by J.T. — October 20, 2009 @ 9:03 pm
All these cupcakes are making me fat!!
Comment by Wendy Maxey — October 21, 2009 @ 7:38 am
I have purchased her cupcakes several times at the Grandin Market and they are yummy! Much more tasty than the other shop in town....
Comment by Sandra — October 21, 2009 @ 7:44 am
Wow! I am so excited, cupcakes within walking distance of my home. I hope they will have evening hours, at least on the weekend.
Comment by sarah — October 22, 2009 @ 10:55 am
I love Bubblecakes! I found out about these JUST when I started Weight Watchers. What a bummer!
Comment by Sally — October 24, 2009 @ 10:19 am
Tried the new Cupcake Shop this Weekend....Wow!! Had the Lemon and the "Viva La Cupcake" which is chocolate and more chocolate. Both were fantastic...Yummy!!
Comment by Donna — October 26, 2009 @ 10:28 am
DEFINITELY the best cupcake shop in town! Blows away the competition!
Comment by Molly — October 27, 2009 @ 2:16 pm
I hope they taste better than the Bubblecake products which to me were dry in comparison to homemade cupcakes..... and the prices at Bubblecake are $2.50 vs. $2.95 per cupcake at Viva La Cupcake is what their website says. YOUCH on the pocketbook. They may want to re-think their prices.
Comment by Di — October 28, 2009 @ 8:53 am
They actually taste great...fresh and tastey... the price is well worth what you get here... price point is right on for the better quality product you get.... doesn't even compare to any other place... Finally something different and new in Roanoke...
Comment by VTF — October 28, 2009 @ 10:03 am
I did a taste review of Bubblecakes not long ago. Of course I am not the Rachael Ray of the taste test world but I have eaten a few (lol) cupcakes in my lifetime. http://www.theblueridgegal.com/2009/10/cuppycake-cuppycake-i-love-you.html
I will be sure to give Viva La Cupcake equal time in the near future. STILL, at almost $3 per cupcake that's strike number 1 against them.
Comment by Di — October 29, 2009 @ 3:35 pm
I agree with the pricing on Viva La Cupcake - I would like to see it in line with the "competition", but Wildflour cupcakes are $2.75 and no one seems to complain. Nonetheless, the cupcakes at Viva La Cupcake are VERY good - moist and flavorful. Bubblecakes' might be a bit prettier, but they fall short on taste.
Comment by Teresa — October 30, 2009 @ 4:55 am
I just happened across the store one day and I'm so glad I did! Pennie is incredibly nice and the customer service is wonderful. Everyone in my family had a different flavor and they were all delicious, but the pineapple upside down is my favorite. $3 per cupcake does seem like a hefty amount considering what I can make them for at home, but my cupcakes never turn out like this!! I don't think 45 cents more than the other store is that significant, especially when I think of the fillings and other extras she adds to hers. The other store piles on more icing (and I do love icing!) but I don't think their decorating is very creative - most of the cupcakes look the same; only the colors and flavors seem to change.
Comment by Kathie — November 3, 2009 @ 11:54 am
I had a cupcake there, it was pretty bad. It was strawberry mint with ice cold butter cream (like a mouthful of solid, cold unflavored butter) Ick! Whatever it was, I didn't finish it...the icing was inedible and the cake was flavorless.
Furthermore, the store was kind of depressing. There was no atmosphere whatsoever. It was a great big empty warehouse with a makeshift "store" set up in front. Is this even a permanent store? I get the feeling that she's "camped out" there.
Nothing seemed fresh, though how could it be if she bakes everything out of her home. (I read this in the paper)
I brought some out of town guests there after dinner, I was embarrased.
Bubblecake wins hands down in this "competition" as far as I'm concerned.
Comment by Jenn G. — November 4, 2009 @ 11:07 pm
My family loves the new Viva La Cupcakes. We have tried several of the Bubblecakes cupcakes as well and they are definately not the same.
The Viva La Cupcakes are hands down my fav. They are always moist and the flavor will surprise you with deliciousness. Miss Pennie always remembers us and makes it speical when we visit. She uses lots of extras, including fresh fruits and special add ins that she uses to make them gourmet.
I think I have had every flavor at Viva La Cupcake now and have not had a bad one yet They look pretty too! For the extra cost the cupcake is larger than Bubblecake and enough to share.
Comment by Tracy — November 7, 2009 @ 12:31 pm