Tallahassee is home to many small businesses. From thrift shops to mouth-watering dessert cafes, the capital city’s diversity shines throughout these small businesses.
Decadent Delights is an outstanding representation of Tallahassee’s sweet treats.
Founder and CEO Arkeba Bouie, a native of Gadsden County, established Decadent Delights, LLC in 2012 and later opened a storefront in 2020.
After dedicating over 20 years to state and local government, Bouie was eager to follow her true passion. Although her storefront opened right before one of the most devastating times in America’s history, COVID-19, she did not allow those challenges to stop her.
“I wanted to follow my passion. [While], COVID-19 was very difficult, there was no turning around for me. I wanted to persevere,” Boule said.
Before establishing her business, Bouie gained experienced baking for her family. Starting out with only two cake recipes, German chocolate and red velvet, Bouie’s business has grown far beyond what she could have imagined.
“We [now] sell over 20 different desserts: cheesecakes, cupcakes, brownies, cookies and [three-layered] cakes. Our mission [at Decadent Delights is] to remain consistent and provide delectable treats [to our customers],” Bouie said.
The importance of customer service is reflected throughout the café.
In the entrance of the café is a bottle of hand sanitizer to encourage customers to use before purchasing a treat.
The light pink and melanin brown paintings perfectly pair with the contemporary design of the café. Clean and organized, the tasty treats are placed in a glass case, which is easily noticed by customers.
Rochelle Koff, who writes the blog Tallahassee Table, was blown away by the delicious treats.
“I was torn between the red velvet and chocolate with a cookies-and-cream icing. They were both scrumptious,” Koff said.
Koff’s review was no surprise for frequent shoppers at the café. With an exceptional rating of 4.9 stars on Google, Decadent Delights’ competitors may have trouble keeping up.
Benard Williams, a returning customer, said, “[Decadent Delights] is the best in town. I purchased a dozen cupcakes, and none of them made it home.”
“Their key lime, red velvet and vanilla are amazing flavors,” Williams added.
Customer-driven and quality-oriented, Bouie said, “Customer service is key [to running a successful business].”
Wanting to have her desserts easily accessible to her customers, Bouie also has her desserts for sale at the local Piggly Wiggly. She hopes to open another store front and continue to run a successful business.
To taste these amazing treats, visit Decadent Delights at 1779 Apalachee Parkway, Suite 101, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday – Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.