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Show FORUMFORTNIGHTLY.COM 8 Manny Duenas Staff Reporter Minis Cupcakes is still creating the treats that have made them famous in the area. The Sugar House location is closed, but the downtown location where it all started is still open. Leslie Fiet, owner and baker of Minis Cupcakes, said a few factors influenced her decision to close the Sugar House location the employees were not performing the way she wanted them to, and she was concerned for their safety. She said the store was robbed two to three times per year. Some break-in- s were after hours and the damage, such as broken windows, was expensive to repair. Although the downtown location is not as close to the college, she hopes the relationship with Westminster students doesnt change, and they dont see the distance as an obstacle. However, she isnt too worried about closing the Sugar House store because the college is really good about supporting alumni. Having graduated from Westminster herself, Fiet has experienced this sup- port. Minis Cupcakes is used by the college for functions throughout the year. In addition, parents of Westminster students can send their children Minis Cupcakes on birthdays or special occasions. The service provided to Westminster represents the reason Fiet started the business. She said there was a lack of cupcake shops in the area when she started. She wanted to capitalize on the opportunity by doing something that was out of the norm. After starting out at farmers markets, she opened her own location in 2007 in downtown SLC. The Sugar House location wasnt opened until 2009. Fiets shop is a reflection of her beliefs. The 1950s memorabilia displayed throughout the shop represent her inspi- ration in classic flavors. I dont like the weird trend of doing weird flavors like bacon, she said. Its not who we are. Were old school. These are all traditional flavors done properly. According to Fiet created the mini cupcake for a specific reason. She wanted a cupcake that wouldnt make customers sick eating it and would allow them to try different mini-cupcakes.co- m, flavors. Fiets style has earned her acclaim, including the Rising Star award given by the Womens Small Business Associabusiness. tion to an also won the Food Networks t She Cupcake Wars, gaining national recoging nition. Nakia Arquette, a Washington native studying at the University of Utah, said she first saw Minis on the Food Network and decided to give it a chance. She has not looked back. I like how its a little spot that not a lot of people know about, Arquette said. I try to come in at least once a week and buy cupcakes for myself and my roommates. Arquette is used to going to the downtown location, so she was not affected by the Sugar House location closing in the way j Westminster students been. have M a d d i e Lewis, a neuroscience major, said she is disappointed that Minis will not be near campus. I went there be- cause my mom saw it on the Food Network, Lewis said. It was great. Despite the proximity of the shop to campus, some students are not familiar with the business. First-ye- ar student Jessica Gofberg said, Ive never been there, but I heard it was really good. Although students will not have the convenience of walking down the street for cupcakes anymore, the same flavor can still be found downtown. Photo by Manny Duenas UJalli-in- s viclcomo $2.25 for classic cupcakes $2.50 for specialty cupcakes $50 order minimum for deiiuerics) Also creates cookies, pies and hok lunches Mini's is located at 800 S. 14 E |