Sweet! Cupcake Bar Opens

However, with their success came the need to move into a larger space.

According to part owner Danieel Delgado, location is not the only progression of the Cake Factory.

Sweet! is the newest brainchild of Delgado and his mother, Jeannette Cando.

While still offering all of the same Cake Factory favorites, Sweet!, located at 1100 4th St N., brings a customizable cupcake option. Delgado focuses on business while Cando takes care of the baking. The balance works well for the duo, they said.

So, why cupcakes? For a business that focused primarily on event cakes for weddings and birthday parties, the jump to a cupcake bar might seem a bit odd. However, Delgado is a businessman and he says that cupcakes are a “hot item” right now.

Aside from popular demand, Delgado said, “Cupcakes are one of her specialties.” Delgado says that Cando is able to create flavors and combinations that no one else can imitate.

Cando has an entire line of her own cupcake creations, but customers also have the alternative to customize their order. Whether it’s a single cupcake or a whole dozen, the custom cupcakes have become a hit with locals.

For customization, the process is rather simple: pick your batter, choose your icing and then select up to three toppings. Single custom cupcakes sell for $3.50 a pop.

Premade cupcakes from Cando’s collection go for $2.50 each.

Another addition to the business is the charity aspect. Since Sweet’s products are prepared fresh, there are leftovers on a daily basis.

Delgado and company haul off the unused cupcakes and donate them to an area shelter or nursing home.

Sweet! also gives back to a different non-profit organization each month. Delgado and Cando take 50% of the profit raised in a month on a specialty cupcake and donate it to the charity they have chosen.

This month’s Pink Strawberry Cupcake will raise funds for breast cancer research.

There is still one more point to note about the Cake Factory’s expansion: vegan and gluten free products are now available for purchase.

“We can do pretty much anything here,” said Delgado. “If they can imagine it, we can make it.”