For Immediate Release

CUPCAKIN’ BAKE SHOP EXPANDS TO NEW LOCATIONS
IN OAKLAND AND BERKELEY

Artisan bakery brings soulful cupcakes and cakes to Old Oakland, 
the Gourmet Ghetto and Telegraph Avenue this fall

BERKELEY, Calif. – August 20, 2018 – Cupcakin’ Bake Shop, an artisan bakery specializing in exceptional cupcakes and cakes made from scratch, will open two new locations and relocate its original location this fall. The first new site is in the historic Swan’s Market in Old Oakland, and the second is in the space of the former and much beloved Virginia Bakery in Berkeley’s Gourmet Ghetto. Cupcakin’ is also relocating its original bake shop on Durant Avenue to a larger, more visible space on Telegraph Avenue.

Founded by Oakland native Lila Owens, the five-year-old Cupcakin’ Bake Shop serves supremely moist and delicious cupcakes and cakes made with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. From everyday treats or colorful birthday cupcakes, to a refined wedding cake for 100, Cupcakin’ serves a selection of cupcakes in more than a dozen rotating and seasonal flavors, with daily favorites Red Velvet, Double Chocolate, Vanilla and Salted Caramel, as well as gluten-free and vegan options.

Owens left a successful career in residential real estate to become a baker, combining her sweet tooth with her entrepreneurial spirit, and officially kicked off a cupcake catering company in 2010. By 2014, she had fund-raised her way to the opening of Cupcakin’ Bake Shop at 2435 Durant Avenue in Berkeley.

“I started baking my favorite food, cupcakes, for family and friends with the intention of building a home-based catering business. I took a ton of classes to better understand the baking process and to maximize my efficiency so that I would be ready to open my own bake shop. With the opening of my new commissary kitchen on Shattuck Avenue, I’m excited to expand my reach and represent minority- and women-owned businesses in the wider Bay Area food industry and beyond,” said Owens, who is African-American.

This September, the relocation of the original Cupcakin’ Bake Shop to a larger space at 2391 Telegraph Avenue will be the first phase of the brand’s expansion. By October, Cupcakin’ is slated to open at Swan’s Market (538 9th Street, Oakland), where it was chosen to replace Deep Roots and Hen House. This location will offer Oakland-specific cupcake flavors and themes like Maple Bourbon Bacon cupcakes, locally roasted coffee, and regular menu items from the original Berkeley location.

Later this fall, Cupcakin’ will open its third store and flagship location in the space formerly occupied by Virginia Bakery at 1690 Shattuck Avenue, which closed in April 2018 after 65 years. Virginia’s original owners, John and Anne Erdmann and their family, have generously shared some of their recipes, like the bakery’s popular sugar sprinkle cookie and other favorites with Owens, who plans to offer these specialty treats exclusively at the Shattuck location to honor the Erdmann family’s legacy. With its large kitchen space, Cupcakin’ on Shattuck will serve as the commissary kitchen for all three bake shops and the catering business. The space will also include a retail shop that sells celebratory items such as birthday cake candles, cake toppers, cards and more.

Among the bakery’s most notable offerings are the pie-inspired cupcakes: Lemon Cream Pie and Key Lime Pie, which feature whipped cream frosting, fresh citrus curd filling, and a graham cracker bottom. Key Lime Pie was introduced as a Flavor of the Month, but customers loved it so much that it’s now a year-round menu item and second only to the Red Velvet in popularity. Other unique cupcakes are Cookies & Cream and Chocolate Raspberry, both made with a crumbled Oreo cookie bottom. Cupcakin’ also offers gluten free and vegan cupcakes, including Gluten Free Raspberry Chocolate Chip, which is a favorite even among customers without dietary restrictions.

For the monthly menu or catering inquiries, visit www.cupcakinbakeshop.com. Join the @Cupcakinbakeshop community on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

About Cupcakin’ Bake Shop
Cupcakin’ Bake Shop is an artisan bakery that specializes in cupcakes and cakes. Founded by Oakland-native Lila Owens, this soulful bakery in Berkeley serves exceptionally moist, delicious cakes made from scratch with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. In Fall 2018, Cupcakin’ will open a second location at Swan’s Market in Old Oakland and a third location at the former site of Virginia Bakery, which will serve as the flagship retail location and commissary kitchen for all three bakeries and the catering business.

Photos (from top to bottom):
Image 1: Assorted cupcakes, photo credit: Christina Yan
Image 2: Lila Owens, photo credit: Chris Andre
Image 3: Key Lime Pie cupcake, photo credit: Christina Yan
Image 4: Custom cake, photo credit: Christina Yan