The Peppered Cupcake is holding a soft opening this week for its new location at Racine Commons.
 
Owner Tabitha Meready announced in July that her business had grown to the point where she was ready to expand beyond her downtown location, which opened in 2014.
 
Meready said one of her main goals with the new location was to be more accessible to people throughout Wilmington.
 
Decorated in a shabby chic motif with distressed furniture and comfy couches, the new space offers cozy nooks and study spaces for students or friends looking to catch up over coffee and cupcakes.
 
Twenty to 25 flavors of cupcakes will be available daily, and coffee and tea will be served. Meready said she is always ready to accommodate last-minute pick-ups, but customers wanting more than two dozen cupcakes are welcome to place their orders in advance.
 
The signature “peppered” cupcakes are frosted with cream cheese buttercream and topped with spicy compotes or jams as well as a sprinkle of black pepper, offering a sweet and savory experience. Many of the flavors are served warm and each cupcake is finished to order so that all the toppings stay fresh. Meready said some of her bestsellers are the smashed bananas foster, the mango habanero, crème brulee and the peach and lavender cobbler. 
 
Seasonal specialties include pumpkin tiramisu, cranberry citrus cheesecake and a year-round favorite, bourbon pecan pie.
 
An official grand opening is scheduled for Nov. 29, with each purchase qualifying for a Year of Free Cupcakes giveaway.
 
Beginning Nov. 29, The Peppered Cupcake will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
 
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