As Allie Offner and Jay Bookman continue working to open a second Cupcake Allie location on Nicholson Drive next week, they’re also making plans for a new Mid City location that’s expected to open later this year.
“My family and I, we live in Mid City, so we’re definitely invested in the area and excited about being a part of the redevelopment going on there,” says Offner. “That’s been a long-term goal of ours. The opportunity came sooner than we expected, but it was too good to pass up.”
Cupcake Allie will lease space at 3809 Government St. for the Mid City location, which Offner hopes will be open by October or November. The Mid City location will include seating for up to 35 patrons, with offerings being expanded to include breakfast in the mornings and wine in the evenings, she says.
“It’s a much larger space than we have here on Perkins, which will allow us to have a much larger selection,” Offner says. “It’s going to be a little more upscale, but still comfortable.”
Meanwhile, a second location at 5251 Nicholson Drive—in the space formerly occupied by the Frosted cupcake business—will open next week, she says. The additional locations will complement the original Cupcake Allie at 3753 Perkins Road.
Offner and Bookman also operate a food truck and distribute cupcakes to several area grocery and retail stores. Offner says they recently inked a deal with Rouses Supermarkets to have her cupcakes sold at Rouses stores statewide by the end of the year.
All of the expansion comes just 18 months after Offner launched the business.
“Very little sleep and a really good support team,” Offner says when asked how she’s managing the rapid expansion, adding she and Bookman are also planning a December wedding amid all the business activity. “It’s definitely been overwhelming, but in a good way.”
—Steve Sanoski
