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Smallcakes off to successful beginnings at new Hays location
biz slt Smallcakes
Nikki Jansonius, manager/head baker, decorates Lemon Drop cupcakes at the new Smallcakes in Hays. The gourmet goodies were for a large wedding the business recently catered. - photo by COURTESY PHOTO

                 HAYS - The doors to Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery have been open only a short time but Co-owner Ashley Stroup said she already knows it is a hit with her hometown-area community.

            “From the day we opened, the public has warmly embraced us,” Stroup said. “We have the friendliest and most fun customers walking through our doors. They always tell us how happy they are to have us in their community.”

            Smallcakes is located at 4320 Vine, Suite 20, in Tebo Village. Its Great Bend location is 4901 10th.

            The business bakes and frosts 15 signature cupcake flavors every morning from scratch.

            “We pride ourselves on baking the most delicious gourmet treats possible,” Stroup said. “We also make homemade ice cream on site, with 8 to 10 flavors daily. In addition, we just added custom wedding and party cakes to our menu.”

            The icing on the cake for Stroup is that she and her seven employees are serving her life-long community. She grew up west of Hays.

            “I also had the privilege of living in Hays during my college career at Fort Hays State University,” she commented. “I really got to be part of a great community that strives to grow. There are many positive people here who greet new businesses with open arms.

            “In addition, many people from surrounding communities travel to Hays for a number of activities. I am blessed to have a business here for our neighbors, as well as those just passing through.”

            Stroup also noted that an area construction company helped get her new business off the drawing board. Brentwood Builders, which is based in Great Bend, took an open-shell area and turned it into Smallcakes.

            “We chose Brentwood Builders because of the trust we have developed with them over the years,” Stroup said. “We are always happy with the work they do on large and small projects.”

            Andy Mingenback, Brentwood president, “brings many ideas and outside-the-box solutions that are important when fine-tuning a project. He and his crew work hard to ensure the customer is satisfied.”

            Brentwood has been in business since 1999. Its crew relies on the support of local subcontractors in its service territory, which includes a 90-mile radius of Great Bend.

            “It was great to be part of Smallcakes’ beginnings,” Mingenback said. “Ashley and everyone else involved was professional, easy to work with and just fun to be around. We wish them success.”