EVERYBODY`S FAVORITE BABYCAKES: SOUTH BAY STYLE

EVERYBODY’S
FAVORITE BABYCAKES:
SOUTH BAY STYLE by joel martens
A title that often rings true and, now additionally, for the expanding Babycakes, it’s the urban cupcakery, bar, bakery, eatery and
favorite Church on Sunday “beef-cakery.”
Christopher Stavros, co-owner and cupcake aficionado took a
minute to talk about the additions and subtractions in this successful
and favored local spot. When asked about why they decided to open
yet another location, he had this to say, “We have been open for six
years now and were ready to expand. There is a demand for our worldfamous cupcakes in other areas of San Diego County and South Bay
was an attractive opportunity.”
Imperial Beach is an interesting location to have chosen, though it’s
a far cry from the “gayborhood.” His explanation for its choice was as
follows,“Imperial Beach is going through a major renaissance and will
continue to change quite a bit over the next five years. The city has
been coined as ‘the last undeveloped beach area in Southern California,’though that is about to change. We have had our eye on a location
there for quite some time and it just organically came available.”
72
RAGE monthly
| JULY 2014
Babycakes and a South Bay neighborhood renaissance, we like the sound of
that, apparently so did Stavros. For that matter, so did many other companies
as he explained, “We are combining efforts with other well-known businesses
in order to create an exciting destination in California’s most southwesterly
city—all within a couple of blocks.”The focus will be on their delicious baked
goods, coffee drinks, beach snacks and their world famous cupcakes with
both indoor/outdoor seating. Along with Babycakes of course, look for the
new-this-year Pier South Resort—an Autograph Collection by Marriott, the
newest Cohn Restaurant, SEA 180 Coastal Tavern, Filippis Pizza Grotto and
soon also to join the neighborhood, the Coronado Brewing Company. We
here at The Rage Monthly think those are all good reasons for taking the
time to re-examine Imperial Beach.
Their Balboa Park location, though successful, is no longer open. Stavros shared
the reasons why, “Balboa Park is now permanently closed because we decided
to move our assets from Balboa Park to the Imperial Beach Bake Shop and Coffee
House location. This will allow us to focus all of our energies on the new direction
and expansion.” His excitement is palpable and when asked about the differences
between the old and the new, he had this to say, “Hillcrest is our mothership and
will remain the base of operations, we have deep roots with the community and it
is where we do all our baking.”
“Over the years, Babycakes Hillcrest transformed into a hybrid consisting of a
coffee house, bakery, bar and restaurant. Our Balboa Park location was an attempt
to create a cafe “in the park,” focusing more on the food aspect of our business.
We have taken a different path with Imperial Beach, where we plan to focus on
our baked goods and coffee, referring to it as a Bake Shop and Coffee House.” He
continues, “The Imperial Beach menu will reflect the continuing demand for our
baked goods, including our cupcakes and other delectable sweet snacks.” He also
shared that, “Unlike Hillcrest, we will not open with alcohol, but we will always
leave the opportunity open in the event there is a demand.” Really, who needs the
added rush of alcohol, when you can get what you need with a tasty Babycakes
sugar rush?
When asked how much that“mothership”produced, he offered these numbers,
“We bake about 2000 a week and up to 3000 a week during our wedding/event
season.”That’s a whole lot of tiny, super-frosted mini cakes being baked, amongst
all of their other offerings. As to his personal favorite cupcake, “The Black Bottom
is one of our original flavors and remains my favorite—Chocolate cake, cream
cheese frosting with raspberry, chocolate chips and more cream cheese inside.”
Rich, creamy and just a little fruity, I’m intrigued, aren’t you?
Babycakes Bake Shop and Coffee House is located at 874 Seacoast Drive. The grand opening is
slated for early July, though the final date is still in process. To find out the exact date call 619.575.
CAKE, stop by their Hillcrest location at 3766 5th Avenue, or go to babycakessandiego.com.