What started as a home kitchen run business is opening a permanent pastel-filled shop in Hallett Cove, serving cupcakes, loaded cookies, coffee and custom celebration cakes.
Rita Haddad had driven past a small shop frontage along The Cove Road in her hometown multiple times, each time thinking how cute a small dessert shop would be fitted out in the space.
“I approached some of the landlords and said, I’d love to lease this out to have a commercial kitchen, but also have a shopfront where people can walk in and grab one cupcake or one cookie, and takeaway coffee,” Rita said.
“It all happened so quickly… and three weeks later I’ve got a shop.”
Although small, The Little Cupcake Co is exactly the kind of space Rita had imagined.
“I am so excited because I’m a people person,” Rita said. “When I’m baking at home all day by myself, I’m like, ‘This is so sad.’”
Inside, there are a couple of chairs, with more seating outside, and Rita’s pink neon-lit logo glowing behind the counter. But it’s not just the sign that draws the eye. It’s the real treats sitting proudly in the clear display cabinet, each cupcake and cookie ready for the next customer.
“We do loaded cookies and cupcakes, all different flavours and varieties, and then coffees, iced lattes and all that kind of stuff.”
The move into a shopfront came after growing demand from Rita’s online business, which has built a following for custom cakes, cupcakes and cookies.
“I’ll still do all custom cakes, cookies and cupcakes for pre-orders, which I’ll be baking in my kitchen here.”
The shopfront will also give customers a dedicated place to collect their custom orders, where Rita can show them the finished design in person rather than handing it over at her front door. According to Rita, two of the most popular pre-order items are vintage heart cakes and bento cakes, which are perfect for people wanting something smaller but still beautifully decorated.
Popular flavours include vanilla, chocolate mud and red velvet, while fillings can range from Biscoff and salted caramel to Bueno and KitKat.
“I also do vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and those types of alternatives,” she said. “That’s quite popular because a lot of people are gluten-free or dairy-free or have intolerances, so I cater for all of that as well.”
Located across the road from Hallett Cove Train Station, The Little Cupcake Co is designed as a drop-in spot for takeaway coffee, a morning sweet treat, or a Friday night dessert after work.
The grand opening will be happening this weekend from Friday to Sunday, with special deals on offer.
“We’ve got giveaways, goodie bags for the first 50 customers, $3.50 cupcakes, $5 loaded cookies, and $5 lattes, iced lattes and coffees,” Rita said.
When: opening from May 22 from 7am – 5pm
Where: 121 The Cove Road, Hallett Cove
For more info, click here.
