Cecilia Mikler, owner of Bonjour Cupcakes bakery, is a hardworking realtor whose initial ambition was to open a coffee shop in Olympia. However, Cecilia found herself inspired by small specialty bakeries like Ballard’s Cupcake Royale, a favorite haunt.
“There were cupcake places in Tacoma and Seattle,” Cecilia remembers, “but none in Olympia. We found this space opposite Sylvester Park, and launched Bonjour Cupcakes last April. I was so busy then that I gave my daughter, Alexandra, a list of things to do. Alexandra not only helped, she decided she liked this business.
“She’s been my partner ever since.”
Alexandra says, “I discovered I liked running the store. Liz, our baker, is the creative one, and I like the people-part. Our cupcakes are made with natural, organic, local ingredients: Shelton’s Olympic Crest coffee, Tea Lady teas, Lattin’s juices, Farmer’s Market honey and mint, Meadowsweet dairy products, even homemade marshmallow!”
Cecilia calls the décor shabby-chic, with big tables and chairs you’d find in a country kitchen, period chandeliers, highboys, light-filled front windows and art by locals on the walls.
Best, however, is the shining glass display case filled with an array of cupcakes made by Liz Berg, their young baker, trained in San Francisco at Parisian baking school, Le Cordon Bleu.
“I baked with five generations of grandmas,” said Liz. “I’ve been here since May, and I love baking.”
The most popular cupcake is salted caramel, but “our new s’mores creation sells as fast as we make them! We’re always inventing new things,” says Liz. Bonjour Cupcakes offers 15+ flavors of delicious cupcakes, and also fills special orders, delivers for a small fee, and offers wi-fi, games, and decorating parties with baker’s tools and garnishes.
Monday – Thursday 10:00 – 7:00
Friday – Saturday 10:00 – 8:00
Sunday 11:00 – 5:00
609 Capital Way South, 360-515-0564
new-biz-oly is written by Holly Graham. To suggest a new locally-owned
business to be featured, please email olympiapowerandlight@gmail.com.