Traci Fowler began baking cakes 16 years ago and has built a successful home-based business providing specialty cakes for weddings, birthdays, showers and more.
 
“I really consider myself more of a decorator than a baker,” said Fowler. “But it’s my buttercream that keeps people coming back.”
 
Fowler said the business has grown solely by word of mouth; she has never had to invest in any formal advertising.
 
She is now opening a retail location for T.O.P. Cakes – Talk of the Party, at the former La Gemma Fine Italian Pastries location at 2323 S. 17th St. In addition to custom orders, the cakery will offer a variety of full size cakes as well as cake by the slice.
 
Fowler planned to open a retail location early next year but when the La Gemma space became available with a fully equipped kitchen she knew she would have to move up her timeline. An Oct. 31 opening is planned.
 
“This was a space I just couldn’t pass up,” Fowler said.
 
Fowler plans to use the space not only for baking and retail, but also as a birthday party destination where children can decorate their own six-inch cakes as part of the celebration. She will also offer private or small group cake decorating lessons and Wine and Ice nights where groups can sip wine and decorate cakes.
 
“This is going to be a really fun place and we have lots of great things planned for the holidays,” Fowler said. “Our opening day will be Halloween and any of our customers who come in dressed in costumes will receive a free cupcake.”
 
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