With business running for just one year, Jean Bates, owner of Lucy&Leo’s Cupcakery is ready to expand into a mobile cupcake shop where she will cater her baked goodies to events around the community.
Jean Bates graduated from Florida State University with a master of business administration degree.
“I searched the Internet for the most in demand businesses and I read that cupcakes were one of the top industries so I decided to open a cupcakery,” Bates said.
Lucy&Leo’s Cupcakery is located on Thomasville Road in a peach-colored, picturesque, two-story house.
The cupcakery shares its space with a textile store. It is decorated with colorful fabrics and paintings lining the walls with a few cushioned seats and tables scattered throughout the store.
“I like that it’s small, quaint and relaxing, and I love that everyone here knows our names,” said Danielle Donnelly, 21, a senior family and child sciences student at FSU. “We come here for dessert every time we eat out. No one makes desserts like Lucy&Leo’s…it’s my favorite place.”
Tuesday through Saturday, chocolate, vanilla, Oreo and red velvet cupcakes are served. Also there are daily specials such as, vegan Wednesdays, gluten-free Thursdays, happy hour Fridays, and sugar-free Saturdays. Each cupcake is freshly baked every morning.
Even though Bates founded her business off a web search, the company has a very personal touch.
“The shop was named after my two dogs, who I adopted from the Leon County Humane Society,” Bates said.
She is a well known supporter of the Leon County Humane Society and often posts different events that are happening at a few of the local animal shelters in her store and on her website: www.lucyandleoscupcakery.com.
Lucy&Leo’s is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. While all large orders must be placed at least 24 hours in advance, cupcakes are sold individually for $2.25 and walk-ins are welcome.