New eateries are popping up left and right in downtown Haverhill. One of the new kids on the block is the Cupcake Boutique. Owner Sharon Breighner opened her Haverhill location about a month ago, after being in business for more than two years on Elm Street in Andover.
The Cupcake Boutique offers more than just the petite frosted delicacies the place is named for. Cakes for any occasion and other treats are made to order. Vegan and gluten-free products are also available.
Next week, two new offerings will be introduced: pupcakes, which are cupcakes for dogs, and fortune cupcakes, treats with fortunes inside.
In addition to baking, the boutique hosts ladies nights out and cupcake decorating parties, when guests can come help with the baking and decorating before they eat the creations.
Being in the bakery business has been a joy for Breighner.
"The people and my staff, they're my favorite part of owning this business," she said. "The best part is that it's a fun place. People don't come in unhappy. When people tell me how much they loved a cake, that it looked beautiful, that's what makes it all worth it."
Breighner's business is fueled by her head decorator, Renee LaFortune, and Tori Mueck, who manages the front of the store. The three women strive to make the boutique a pleasant spot where a customer can get a smile while they satisfy their sweet tooth.
Name: The Cupcake Boutique
Address: 15 Washington St., Downtown Haverhill
Phone Number: 978-475-4429
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Web site: www.theccboutique.com
Owner: Sharon Breighner
Head Decorator: Renee LaFortune
Price range: $2.25 and up (Mini cupcakes are $1.50 each, but sold by the dozen)
Credit cards accepted?: Yes. Master Card, Visa and Discover
Handicap accessible?: Assistance is available
Takes reservations/advance orders?: Special orders are taken 48 hours in advance
What's on the menu? (Type of food offered): Sweet treats like cupcakes, cakes, cookies, brownies, whoopie pies.
Customer favorite: "Vanilla with raspberry, Boston cream, chocolate chip, triple chocolate, red velvet
Owner's favorite: I love the raspberry-filled or the cookie dough cupcakes. I like more of the vanilla flavors personally. They're sweet, but not too sweet. But my other weakness are the brownies."
Most unique order: "We made sushi cupcakes once. They looked like California rolls. You would've never known they were cupcakes."
How long has the restaurant been open?: Just under a month in Haverhill, but the business has been open about two and a half years in Andover.
Where can customers park?: Street parking or any of the surrounding city parking lots.
A cooking tip: "People who bake know this, but if you don't follow a recipe, it won't come out. It's not like cooking where you can experiment add in different things each time. You have to follow the recipe exactly so it comes out how you want it to."
