Walking down the street, the aroma emanating from The Cupcake Boutique around the corner past Starbucks attracts everyone in the vicinity. The windows are filled with cupcakes of every color, flavor and size, and are decorated so elaborately that walking through the ornate glass doors and welcoming entrance seems like an obligation. Under the glass, the cupcakes, cheesecakes, tarts, cookies and cakes appear flawless. The scent of the cupcakes and sight of frills becomes overpowering, suddenly almost nauseating. The woman in front of you in line orders 60 two-dollar cupcakes for her daughter’s sixth birthday party, the friendly woman at the register asks her about her life, and you guiltily purchase one cupcake and dash out. The Cupcake Boutique, Andover’s own version of the New York City cupcake store, Magnolia, opened May 5 downtown. They sell many desserts, which can be bought in-store as well as ordered in bulk. “We can do all kinds of events, from weddings to birthday parties,” manager Sharon Breighner said. “We try to be both elegant and fun.” The store is soon going to start selling coffee and tea as well.. The Cupcake Boutique sells a wide variety of cupcakes, from simple chocolate and vanilla to key lime, carrot cake and red velvet cupcakes, not to mention their various cakes, tarts, and cookies. One cupcake costs a bold two dollars, while cakes cost $36 and up. Although this expensive and seemingly unnecessary business may seem out of place, Breighner claimed that Andover is the perfect location for a store such as this. “Cupcake stores have been a recent craze in New York City and on the west coast,” she claimed. “It is a perfect addition to the town.” It has attracted a good amount of attention from students at Phillips Academy, both positive and negative. “I think that selling cupcakes, solely cupcakes, is the must genius idea ever,” said Danica Mitchell ’09. The town of Andover, according to Breighner, has been very enthusiastic, and customers are already booking events as far in advance as August. “Business has been incredible,” she said. Despite Breighner’s optimistic outlook, some Andover students are under the impression that the two-week-old business is already failing. “I think it’s really cute, but it’s really sad that it probably won’t last long,” said Amanda Lin ’09. These students and faculty may not expect The Cupcake Boutique to last, but whether it is due to the taste or look of the food, Andover’s own cupcake store has been thriving. “Hello, cupcakes?” exclaimed Annie Boylan ’07. “Brilliant.” On the other hand, much of the student body does not understand the need for a cupcake store. “There was a lot of anticipation, but in the end it’s kind of like a cream puff,” said Cassius Clay ’09. “It’s all exterior; there’s nothing inside.” The most impressive aspect of the store’s desserts is clearly their decorations, and although they are not as heavenly as the scent from outside implies, they are good, and certainly better than the cupcakes found at your average grocery store. As to whether or not it will last, it is apparent that Americans, especially hungry high school students, have very little resistance to sugar, and the embellishing decorations just make them more irresistible. However, I believe that although The Cupcake Boutique is not going anywhere any time soon, residents of Andover would be much better served with a high end bakery, which specializes in breads and pastries, and sells cupcakes on the side. Despite some reservations, Andover students are already growing to love the Cupcake Boutique. With some time, this boutique may become a permanent member within the Andover community.
