One of Wilmington’s original cupcake shops is closing
The Hot Pink Cake Stand opened in Wilmington in 2009, right when the sweet treat trend was spreading across the country. The bakery has changed a lot over the years. It transitioned from an open-kitchen space with grab-and-go pastries on Front Street in downtown to a rebranded Pink Baking Co. with made-to-order cakes and desserts at 4545 Fountain Drive.
But the business is now coming to an end. Owner Ashley Pedzwater announced on social media that Pink Baking Co. will close at the end of July.
“I don’t think I have the words to express what this little kitchen has meant to me over the last 11 years,” she wrote. “I have met the best people and have created art I couldn’t have imagined. But the time has come to give my body a break and switch focus to creating all the memories with my little family.”
The business was started by Jody Carmichael, and Pedzwater started as an employee in 2013. Over the years, the business expanded, tried offering a savory menu, and offered countless unique cakes and cupcakes.
“We had so much fun,” Pedzwater said. “I loved keeping up with the trends.”
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They had a royal-themed weekend when Prince Harry married Megan Markle, for example, and their Queen Bee flavor, with almond cake and honey buttercream is still a popular choice for wedding cakes. Other creations, too, have stood the test of time.
“Our Achilles, with fig, cinnamon and pecan, and the Caramel Latte,” she said.
One customer has already put in for one more order for Unicorn’s Breath cake. It’s their chocolate-chocolate chip cake with a raspberry and Bailey’s buttercream. Others, too, have reached out to say how much they’ll miss Pink Baking Co.
“It makes me realize that other people have seen what we’ve been doing here,” she said.
Pedzwater became an official partner in 2016 when they rebranded, but Carmichael exited the next year. Pedzwater continued the business as it had been but decided to relocate in 2020.
“The day I moved in here, I found out I was pregnant,” she said.
She continued with wholesale and custom orders through the pandemic and has mostly worked on her own. Unless a new owner steps in, the last day to pick up orders from Pink Baking Co. is July 26.
“I want to stay busy until the end,” Pedzwater said. “But it’s to move on.”
Pedzwater said she isn’t planning to leave baking forever. In fact, she’d love to continue her popular classes at some point. Right now, though, she’s ready spend more time with her three-year-old and her husband. She also hopes she’ll be able to heal a persistent wrist injury.
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Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Pink Baking Co. cupcake restaurant in Wilmington, NC, is closing
