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Talk About Tulsa => Development & New Businesses => Topic started by: Townsend on October 28, 2010, 09:34:25 AM

Title: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: Townsend on October 28, 2010, 09:34:25 AM
Strange combo with the other two stores but sounds like a cool concept.  Amazing how fast that building filled up.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/article.aspx?subjectid=46&articleid=20101028_46_E1_CUTLIN195401 (http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/article.aspx?subjectid=46&articleid=20101028_46_E1_CUTLIN195401)

QuoteElizabeth Ellison hopes her upcoming business is the icing on the cupcake for the Blue Dome district's growing array of restaurants.

With flavors such as banana honey and chocolate espresso, the Tulsa entrepreneur and Spirit Award finalist plans to open a bakery called Hi, Cupcake in the area east of downtown in January.

"Our definition of cupcakes is a little different from others'," said Ellison, daughter of former Mayor Kathy Taylor. "We make anything you can fit into a cupcake pan."

In addition to traditional high-end cupcakes with gourmet ingredients, she plans to bake savory cupcakes with bacon and cheese as well as cupcake-size quiches.

Hi, Cupcake will be in the Lee's Bicycles building at Second Street and Frankfort Avenue, which also is home to the Fleet Feet running store. The bakery will be final occupant of the renovated 14,000-square-foot building.

The 2,700-square-foot shop will have a bakery as well as retail and small dining areas.

Ellison, who is running the business with co-manager and marketing director Christina Merlo, said she hopes to use the downtown locale to appeal to corporate clients interested in having cupcakes catered to events and meetings.

Hi, Cupcake will also make gluten-free cupcakes, vegan specialties and use locally sourced ingredients.

Ellison said she hopes to use other eco-friendly products to make the restaurant almost completely green.

The entrepreneur caught cupcake fever while attending law school at the University of Oklahoma and decided to pursue the idea after graduating.

"I was spending more time baking cupcakes for my study group than anything else," she said.

Earlier this year she and Merlo joined the SpiritBank/Tulsa Community College Entrepreneurial Spirit Award competition. The duo didn't win, but their strong showing was enough to spur them to open the business.

Ellison said she has been inventing and perfecting cupcake recipes during the last six months through the catering arm of her business.




 
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: RecycleMichael on October 28, 2010, 10:28:20 AM
All you exercisers have the running store and the biking shop.

Finally, a place for me.
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: sgrizzle on October 28, 2010, 12:24:58 PM
Cupcake stores are a trend that is gaining momentum but I think the placement is wrong. Hard to pay the rent on 2,700 sq feet of space in a predominately bar district selling 3 sq inches of cake.
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: SXSW on October 28, 2010, 01:09:40 PM
Quote from: sgrizzle on October 28, 2010, 12:24:58 PM
Cupcake stores are a trend that is gaining momentum but I think the placement is wrong. Hard to pay the rent on 2,700 sq feet of space in a predominately bar district selling 3 sq inches of cake.

Agree, this seems more of a fit in Brookside (like the old Kokoa/Caramel space) or Utica Square (vacant Crabtree & Evelyn space)..
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: Renaissance on October 28, 2010, 01:36:34 PM
The article says they're trying to capture the downtown office market.  I'd think a storefront closer to Main Mall might make sense, but I see what they're trying to do in Blue Dome.  Best of luck...
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: Townsend on October 28, 2010, 02:12:09 PM
I'm guessing the pockets are pretty deep and they can last for a while even if business doesn't start off briskly.
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: Conan71 on October 28, 2010, 03:37:03 PM
Quote from: sgrizzle on October 28, 2010, 12:24:58 PM
Cupcake stores are a trend that is gaining momentum but I think the placement is wrong. Hard to pay the rent on 2,700 sq feet of space in a predominately bar district selling 3 sq inches of cake.

Emphasis on trend.

I hope Adam gets a good chunk of rent up front.
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: rdj on October 30, 2010, 11:46:37 AM
Emphasis on trend that has already passed in major markets.

It is good to have another day time spot open in the Blue Dome.  Now if Lyon's Indian Store will ever get moved into the Ridgeway's space at 1st & Detroit.
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: sgrizzle on October 31, 2010, 09:12:39 PM
Quote from: rdj on October 30, 2010, 11:46:37 AM
Emphasis on trend that has already passed in major markets.

It is good to have another day time spot open in the Blue Dome.  Now if Lyon's Indian Store will ever get moved into the Ridgeway's space at 1st & Detroit.

I noticed Ridgeways was empty. Maybe the cupcakery should've gone next to Mazzios.
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: mobboss on November 12, 2010, 12:09:34 PM
(http://littleaustinite.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/heycupcaketrailer.jpg)
(http://projectravel.com/washington/files/2009/11/Hello_Cupcake-300x225.jpg)


hello tulsa.

agreed, in other parts of the usa, the cupcake trend has peaked but im still a sucker for good red velvet
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: zstyles on November 12, 2010, 02:55:08 PM
Ya I see a short term tenant here....geeesh..really? the place on 71st has lost most of its charm from what I saw last time I went in there...I went a year ago..a few cupcakes left for sale..the other day..three-four rows left over....
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: SXSW on November 12, 2010, 04:37:34 PM
Quote from: zstyles on November 12, 2010, 02:55:08 PM
Ya I see a short term tenant here....geeesh..really? the place on 71st has lost most of its charm from what I saw last time I went in there...I went a year ago..a few cupcakes left for sale..the other day..three-four rows left over....

I think they will do fine if they can get their catering business off the ground.  Though I still think 2nd & Frankfurt is an odd location for them but I'm looking forward to trying it.
Title: Re: Pole Dance fitness to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: BKDotCom on October 31, 2011, 02:12:59 PM
Scratch the cupcake business.
"Vixen studios" is well along in their build out of the space next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles.
Some women's fitness joint that seems to be going for the birthday n bachelorette party crowd.
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: carltonplace on October 31, 2011, 02:51:55 PM
That's an interesting business model for a building with so much glass on its street side.
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: Nik on October 31, 2011, 06:45:29 PM
When does it open?
Title: Re: Pole Dance fitness to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: Conan71 on October 31, 2011, 06:47:28 PM
Quote from: BKDotCom on October 31, 2011, 02:12:59 PM
Scratch the cupcake business.
"Vixen studios" is well along in their build out of the space next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles.
Some women's fitness joint that seems to be going for the birthday n bachelorette party crowd.

Hmmm, curious if that's Adam's s/o who is doing that...
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: BKDotCom on October 31, 2011, 09:15:07 PM
Quote from: Nik on October 31, 2011, 06:45:29 PM
When does it open?

here's the website:  http://www.vixen-studio.com/
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: sgrizzle on October 31, 2011, 09:31:36 PM
Are we sure this is a bachelorette party? Sounds like a pretty good bachelor part itinerary:

Quote
Parties at Vixen Studio are COMPLETELY CUSTOMIZED to what your group wants.  We specialize in:
-Pole Dance
-Stripper Workout
-Lap Dance
-Strip Tease
-Burlesque (classic & contemporary)
-Chair Dance
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: Conan71 on October 31, 2011, 10:06:08 PM
Hate to say it, but after looking over the web site, I think the cupcake place represented a far better business model.  I give this 6 to 12 months.  Makes one wonder why there aren't better uses for that space lining up to sign a lease.
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: carltonplace on November 01, 2011, 09:18:54 AM
Goodness but that lady is "bendy".
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: Nik on November 01, 2011, 11:20:55 AM
Quote from: BKDotCom on October 31, 2011, 09:15:07 PM
here's the website:  http://www.vixen-studio.com/

Ha. Was referring to the cupcake place. Now I'm confused. So, is the cupcake place or fitness place opening up in this space? The TW article from just a couple days ago says the cupcake place.
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: heironymouspasparagus on November 01, 2011, 11:46:48 AM
Other than physical location, how are the cupcake places different from say, Merritt's Bakery??  Bigger selection?
I know they won't be any better tasting - Merritt's is superb.

Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: zstyles on November 01, 2011, 01:14:06 PM
Quote from: heironymouspasparagus on November 01, 2011, 11:46:48 AM
- Merritt's is superb

Uhhh..ya...If you like factory tasting cupcakes and cakes...or you just have never had anything better..Merritt's has a very low "reputation" for the best tasting anything for about the last decade since expanding into a factory type setup.
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: carltonplace on November 01, 2011, 01:17:52 PM
Quote from: heironymouspasparagus on November 01, 2011, 11:46:48 AM
Other than physical location, how are the cupcake places different from say, Merritt's Bakery??  Bigger selection?
I know they won't be any better tasting - Merritt's is superb.



Mallory's Mud Pies at 37th & Harvard is superb
Merritt's is OK+
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: zstyles on November 01, 2011, 04:42:14 PM
Quote from: carltonplace on November 01, 2011, 01:17:52 PM
Mallory's Mud Pies at 37th & Harvard is superb
Merritt's is OK+

Uhhh...Mallory's has been out of business for a few years....
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: BKDotCom on November 01, 2011, 05:22:58 PM
Quote from: Nik on November 01, 2011, 11:20:55 AM
Ha. Was referring to the cupcake place. Now I'm confused. So, is the cupcake place or fitness place opening up in this space? The TW article from just a couple days ago says the cupcake place.

You mean the TW article from a couple of days + 1 year old (Oct 28, 2010)?
Ya, that never happened.
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: carltonplace on November 02, 2011, 09:33:23 AM
Quote from: zstyles on November 01, 2011, 04:42:14 PM
Uhhh...Mallory's has been out of business for a few years....

Shows how often I eat cake.
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: Cats Cats Cats on November 02, 2011, 09:59:14 AM
it appears to be a place that will teach you to pole dance.. Based on their imagery on the windows.
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: Conan71 on November 02, 2011, 12:22:23 PM
Quote from: CharlieSheen on November 02, 2011, 09:59:14 AM
it appears to be a place that will teach you to pole dance.. Based on their imagery on the windows.

Doesn't Cloud 9 offer on the job training?  Earn while you learn!
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: Townsend on November 02, 2011, 12:25:33 PM
Quote from: Conan71 on November 02, 2011, 12:22:23 PM
Doesn't Cloud 9 offer on the job training?  Earn while you learn!

Smokey environment and the dance poles always felt filthy.
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: Conan71 on November 02, 2011, 02:16:03 PM
Quote from: Townsend on November 02, 2011, 12:25:33 PM
Smokey environment and the dance poles always felt filthy.

You mean like slug trails?
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: Townsend on November 02, 2011, 02:27:48 PM
Quote from: Conan71 on November 02, 2011, 02:16:03 PM
You mean like slug trails?

Cheap perfume, sweat, glitter and shame.
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: Hoss on November 02, 2011, 03:53:55 PM
Quote from: Conan71 on November 02, 2011, 12:22:23 PM
Doesn't Cloud 9 offer on the job training?  Earn while you learn!

Make sure to bring Kevlar for the stray bullets also.
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: Conan71 on November 02, 2011, 03:54:58 PM
Quote from: Townsend on November 02, 2011, 02:27:48 PM
Cheap perfume, sweat, glitter and shame.

Wow, personal experience?  That's pretty detailed.  Especially the shame part.
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: Townsend on November 02, 2011, 04:10:27 PM
Quote from: Conan71 on November 02, 2011, 03:54:58 PM
Wow, personal experience?  That's pretty detailed.  Especially the shame part.

Please don't touch the dancers.
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: Hoss on November 02, 2011, 07:03:22 PM
Quote from: Townsend on November 02, 2011, 04:10:27 PM
Please don't touch the dancers.

The dancers, however, may touch y...wait, what?
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: Conan71 on November 02, 2011, 08:25:57 PM
Quote from: Hoss on November 02, 2011, 07:03:22 PM
The dancers, however, may touch y...wait, what?

How much is a pass to the VIP lounge?
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: Hoss on November 02, 2011, 08:32:20 PM
Quote from: Conan71 on November 02, 2011, 08:25:57 PM
How much is a pass to the VIP lounge?

I was confused...I was thinking of Missouri...

;D
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: godboko71 on November 03, 2011, 12:29:06 AM
Isn't this concept like 5 years behind the times?
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: dbacks fan on November 03, 2011, 12:36:17 AM
^^^ Yeah it kind of is. Probably took them that long to get it pas the 'Green Country Society for Decency' group that years ago wanted TCI to no longer carry the Playboy Channel. ;)
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: Conan71 on November 03, 2011, 12:40:18 AM
Quote from: dbacks fan on November 03, 2011, 12:36:17 AM
^^^ Yeah it kind of is. Probably took them that long to get it pas the 'Green Country Society for Decency' group that years ago wanted TCI to no longer carry the Playboy Channel. ;)

I see you never got over that either
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: dbacks fan on November 03, 2011, 12:48:50 AM
I'm a tech geek, it was too much fun trying to build my own filters to unscramble the signals.
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: Nik on November 03, 2011, 09:49:08 AM
Quote from: BKDotCom on November 01, 2011, 05:22:58 PM
You mean the TW article from a couple of days + 1 year old (Oct 28, 2010)?
Ya, that never happened.

HA. Oops.
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: Townsend on April 18, 2012, 12:17:18 PM


Pole Dancing in DT Tulsa article:

http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2012/04/poledancing-in-downtown-tulsa-guest-post-by-kate-huggins/ (http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2012/04/poledancing-in-downtown-tulsa-guest-post-by-kate-huggins/)

(http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/photo1-500x375.jpg)
Title: Re: Hi, Cupcake to open next to Fleet Feet and Lee's Bicycles
Post by: tulsa_fan on April 19, 2012, 10:45:09 AM
I took the cardio streaptease class as well, it was fun, a good workout and something new.  I don't recall my husband being disappointed either!   :o