Cute couple

We won't try to give it one of those inane couples' combo names like Bennifer or Brangelina, (mostly cuz we can't think of one that's funny) but it's kinda like that. Cappuccino + Cupcakes. A match made in caffeine + sugar heaven. However, this hot little item stands no chance of a tragically public break-up, and we know you won't be seeing these two on the cover of Us Weekly any time soon. Although, Cupcake could make the summer beach bodies page. She looks good.



So, what are we talking about? A Cupcake Royale gift pack, of course! It's the holiday season, the season of giving, the most wonderful time of the year! And we've got you covered. Give sweetly with our Cappuccino + Cupcakes Gift Pack. Sipping is oh-so-sweet when you give two vintage-inspired, pink European porcelain cup and saucer sets with two free cupcake cards. And at $20 each, (You save $9. $9!!! Que ganga!) you can afford to sweeten up a few of your friends this season.



It's only available in stores, but lucky for you, we've got four of those, so come on into the one in your neighborhood today, and get your holiday shop on! With a piping hot minty mocha and a Figgy Pudding cupcake, holiday shopping was never so enjoyable.

Health Care. White House. Jody Hall. Friday.

L to R: President Barack Obama, Jody Hall, Nancy-Ann DeParle

Yup, that's right. Jody Hall, owner of this here small business, is heading off to Washington tomorrow for a roundtable discussion for small business owners with Nancy-Ann DeParle. Yes, THE Nancy-Ann DeParle, Director of the White House Office of Health Care Reform.

With the April Congressional recess over, health care reform is comin' up front and center, (see photo.) Having made it a clear priority for the session, the White House will continue its series of roundtable discussions on health care this Friday with a focus on small business. Small business owners from around the country will be meeting to talk shop with Nancy-Ann DeParle about what's the what with health care for small businesses and the millions of Americans they employ.

As our rep from the Washington Small Business for Secure Health Care Coalition (a project of Washington CAN!), Jody will be discussing the need for a public health care option to lessen the burden on small businesses who insure their employees.

She sums it up rather nicely like this:
“A public health insurance option would give us real choice and greater bargaining power, increase competition and drive down costs for everyone. Small businesses can create the jobs to help revitalize our economy. But we’ve got to get health care fixed. We need real health reform, and we need it now – this year.”

We have 51 employees here at Cupcake Royale, and as a company, we spend almost as much on insurance as we do on rent for all three stores. That's pretty nutty. And if things don't change, it'll only get worse. Insurance rates continue to climb, (ours just spiked 40% - neat!) and small business owners are being forced to purchase plans with inadequate coverage, or to drop their policies completely, adding to the millions of already uninsured and underinsured Americans. Those who continue to fork it over to private insurance companies are giving out a good chunk of dough in some pretty tough financial times. Clearly, none of this is good for anyone.

So, you tell 'em Jody! And we'll be sure to tell you all what's new as it goes down. Stay tuned.

Foe more info on the issues, check out these links.
Washington Small Business for Secure Health Care Coalition
Washington CAN!
Main Street Alliance

Bringin' the Goodness: Countdown to 1111

Yesterday, some of us took a little walk-through of our new space on Capitol Hill, and we'd like to recreate that for you now. For those of you who haven't heard, we're opening a café and bakery at 1111 E Pike Street this summer. Seeing as we just took over this brand spankin' new space, this tour will require the use of your imagination.


So here's the exterior of good ol' 1111 E Pike. As you can see, not a lot going on. You got your brown paper, blue painter's tape. You can, if you look closely, see our across-the-street-neighbors the Satellite and Post Options reflected in our windows. That's right, you can get a cocktail, a cupcake, and have it all witnessed by a notary public.



Turns out, the first thing you wanna do when building a sweet new cupcake café is label the pipes. If you get those confused, you're in big trouble.



And there she is, our Glorious Leader. This shot was actually taken at 10 pm. She just always exudes a persimmon-hued glow. We're about to launch a satellite into space that will circle Seattle playing songs of praise in her honor. Track 1: Lady Love by Lou Rawls



And this is where the magic will happen. Once we move that ladder, this will be our bakery!



Sophisticated construction talk. It's pretty complicated. You wouldn't understand.



Here's the imagination part:

Imagine that crate is not really a crate. It's a bunch of tables filled with happy people.

Over at the community table (that's the big long one to your right), you got a group of community-minded folks talkin' shop about public school funding. Fact: Cupcake Royale is totally in love with public school.

Oh look - over there! (to your left) Someone just turned 3. Adorable! This will be a good year for him.

What's that in the corner? A first date? Yes. It surely is. We predict a second.

Get ready people. We are bringin' the goodness to Capitol Hill.