by Jessica Gendron-Labbe | photography by Mark Turcotte  

On the lower end of Sabattus Street, tucked in beside Rancourt’s Laundrymat, sits The Cupcakery Café & Bake Shop, a bakery built to inspire and create opportunity. Inside, you will find cakes, cookies, breakfast, lunch, and a variety of coffee styles. A hidden gem of Lewiston, The Cupcakery was established in 2014 as a passion project for Christine Vincent as part of a new venture for Opportunity Enterprises.

A mission of inclusion and empowerment

Long before the Cupcakery Café & Bake Shop opened, Christine had begun to notice the industries she worked in were underpaying people with disabilities and failing to offer them positions with any growth. She wanted to help create real jobs with real pay for people in marginalized groups and came up with the plan for Opportunity Enterprises.

Opportunity Enterprises (OE) concentrates on creating gainful employment for people with disabilities and creates job shadowing opportunities in a range of markets. They are an organization dedicated to helping marginalized groups find steady employment with fair and equal pay. Today, they serve 400 people across 14 Maine counties.

From modest beginnings to a flourishing bakery

By 2014, Christine was ready to combine her passion for helping others with her love for baking. Growing up, she would sit in their family kitchen and watch her mother bake. She loved watching her mother make beautiful cakes and could spend hours in the kitchen with her.

“It was like magic,” she said.

So, as the chance to open The Cupcakery Café & Bake Shop evolved, Christine knew she was creating a special place.

“It’s a mission, not a business,” Christine says, adding the tagline, “Cupcakes and more on a mission!”

The Cupcakery, a place where the most dedicated employees are individuals with disabilities, started its journey in a modest shop on Lisbon Street, initially offering only bagels and muffins. However, the shop’s success led to the need for a larger space. The bakery’s growth happened organically and is a testament to the empowerment of its employees. The shop at 56 Sabattus Street now accommodates around 53 people.

In addition to hosting events like wedding showers and birthdays, the shop offers a free-to-use office space above with a purchase at the Café and Bake Shop, further demonstrating its commitment to inclusivity and support for the community.

Catering to every palate

At the Bake Shop, they are not only passionately dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of their staff, but also of their customer base. They offer seasonal treats, breakfast, lunch, and a wide selection of coffee. They also cater to specific dietary needs, such as keto and gluten-free options, having something for everyone. The shop is always evolving to meet the changing needs of the community they serve. The staff at the bakery are also working on some ideas of their own and by mid-summer, will be making their own bread.

Creativity unleashed

The shop’s success is not only attributed to its mission but also to its staff’s endless creativity and adaptability. They are always on the lookout for new recipes and cake designs that inspire them, which they then try out at the shop, perfecting their techniques. From event cakes to cupcakes, macaroons, and more, the staff has plenty of opportunity to explore their creativity. Their designs often reflect national trends, but they also offer classic wedding cake designs like the birch log or naked cakes, as well as custom orders. They go the extra mile to bring your vision to life and make your event cake as special as the day it celebrates. They’ve crafted stunning cakes adorned with roses, sunflowers, and even daisies, showcasing their versatility and dedication to creating unique and beautiful products.

Recently, they have been working with fondants, creating unique cake sculptures like Minions, teddy bears, and unicorns. They are constantly evolving, and are excited to take on your custom requests, promising a collaborative and smooth experience.

Quality ingredients, quality cakes

The Cupcakery Café & Bake Shop has spent a great deal of time making sure their cakes are made with only the best ingredients, trialing which combinations provide the best results in taste and texture. Because of this, all their cakes are made completely from scratch with high-quality ingredients.

A sweet journey

During peak wedding and event season (June through October), The Cupcakery creates up to 12 cakes a month. Weddings, birthdays, and showers are all special occasions The Cupcakery Café & Bake Shop takes pride in and ensures their best work. In some cases, being part of their patron’s wedding day is just the beginning.

“It starts with a wedding, then the baby shower, and baby’s first birthday,” says Christine. “Then, as soon as we know it, we’ve made the cake for their last three or more birthdays.”

From helping people in marginalized communities to providing the best quality cakes for their patrons’ special events, The Cupcakery Café & Bake Shop is now making some magic of its own. They are not only a part of their patron’s special day, but a tradition.

The Cupcakery Café & Bake Shop

Lewiston | thecupcakery.org