At 117 South Country Road, in Bellport Village, a corner shop’s windows boast bright, colorful decor and displays that let passersby know what they can expect when they step inside: an array of …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you had a login with the previous version of our e-edition, then you already have a login here. You just need to reset your password by clicking here.
If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
|
At 117 South Country Road, in Bellport Village, a corner shop’s windows boast bright, colorful decor and displays that let passersby know what they can expect when they step inside: an array of unique, specialty sweet treats. There’s something for everyone at Cupcakes Galore, including candies, cookies, flavorful fruit creations, massive stuffed cupcakes, and much more. Arguably even more inviting than the delicacies inside, though, is owner and founder LaTasha Trent.
A longtime Bellport resident, Trent began baking at age 12 with her parents, she said. She is now a mother of five, and years ago when she decided she needed a way to get out of the house once her husband came home from work, she opted to take a cake-decorating class at AC Moore. She began posting online about her hobby, and eventually, people started placing orders. In 2018, she opened Cupcakes Galore. According to Trent, she is predominantly known for jumbo filled cupcakes that serve two people, and Bundt cakes.
“I really love it here in the village. I’m the only kind of sweet shop here in the village, so I try to make sure I have a little bit for everybody,” said Trent. “I do fudge, I do pies on holidays, I do breads, I do different kinds of chocolates.”
She added that she loves having her shop located within the Bellport community due to the support and warm welcome she has always received from her neighboring businesses, fellow residents, and the Bellport Chamber of Commerce.
Cupcakes Galore is also a literal labor of love. While Trent does all of the baking and creating on her own, she said she employs friends and family members in the store, her husband helped construct the space, and her aunt crafts a great deal of her decor. In addition to family and loved ones, Trent credits much of her success to her strong faith, which provides confidence and helps her to maintain a balance between her personal and professional lives.
“There are so many people that will tell you, ‘Oh, you can’t do it by yourself. It’s a lot. You’re married, you have kids. How do you do it all?’ So, I always tell [them], ‘It’s by the grace of God,’” said Trent. “I pray every day before I do anything.”
Cupcakes Galore is also one of few Black-owned businesses in Bellport Village. This was another reason Trent prioritized this location, she said. She didn’t see many people that looked like her owning and running businesses, and wanted to be a positive community role model and help diversify the area’s business.
“I think it’s nice to see a positive Black person owning something,” she said. “I just want to represent. I’m very proud of where I come from, very proud of my family.”
As far as her goals for the future, Trent said she aims to eventually open up more stores in addition to her Bellport Village shop and work her way to a larger space. As of now, her store doesn’t have a kitchen—only storage space—so she works out of different shared kitchens and transports her treats.
“I would love to really not only have a sweet shop, but I love to cater, I love to cook—that’s my first love. I would love to be able to open up, like, a little mom-and-pop American soul food bodega kind of place,” she said. “I would like to still have some desserts, but more Southern desserts like banana pudding [and] peach cobbler.”
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here