• the217
• Food + Drink
• Cakes on Walnut serves up a trendy atmosphere

Related Media

Related Venues

Cakes on Walnut »
Address: 114 N Walnut St. Champaign, IL 61820
Phone:
Show on map

Portable. Trendy. Delicious. Little else can be asked of a dessert. Add a dash of coffee bar, stir in some cocktails and let sit in a trendy environment and you have the recipe for Champaign’s cupcake bakery, Cakes on Walnut.

“Traveling around, we noticed cupcakes were becoming trendy in big cities,” said Amanda Bates, who owns Cakes on Walnut with her sister, Trisha Bates. The two got their idea from a cupcake bakery in Vancouver and decided to bring the idea to Champaign.

While Cakes on Walnut has a fun, light-hearted atmosphere, there’s more to this business than just flour and sugar.

“When we opened, we sort of raised the bar for downtown businesses,” said Bates, referring to the style and quality provided at Cakes on Walnut.

Located at 114 N. Walnut St. between The Blind Pig and Esquire Lounge, Cakes on Walnut features a delectable array of tasty cupcakes that aren’t too sweet — each is topped with addictingly fluffy buttercream frosting. The shop also serves coffee and cocktails, served up from their inside bar and dining room or their covered outdoor seating area.

Some of the more adventurous flavors include margarita, a lime cake with tequila and Triple Sec buttercream and green sugar-and-salt sprinkles, and Mexican hot chocolate, a cinnamon cake with chocolate cinnamon chili pepper buttercream and sugared marshmallows. Of course, for those who just can’t resist an old favorite, classic flavors such as chocolate and vanilla bean are available. To know exactly what they’re serving each day, you’ll have to stop in for yourself. All the recipes are original and made from scratch.

The shop is host to events such as Cupcake Bingo on Wednesdays and the “Cupcakes Make People Happy Hour” featuring one-dollar cupcakes with the purchase of a cocktail.

Bates understands that being part of a community isn’t just about opening your business’s doors; it’s about working to create a better city. She wants to “make downtown continue to feel like a destination spot to come,” not just for nightlife but for eating, shopping and living.

The sisters, both University of Illinois alumnae, are members of the Champaign Downtown Association, and Trisha is currently running for president of the association.

Also, Cakes on Walnut is a member of the Green Business Association, a group that helps businesses become more green and sustainable. The shop itself is decorated in a modern, minimalist style with much of its décor taken from the Preservation Society or reused from the previous occupants. The tin paneling in the outdoor bar, for example, was salvaged from the ceiling during the refurbishment.

During this year’s Boneyard Arts Festival this past April, the shop hosted a collection of cupcake-and-cocktail-inspired works by various artists.

“[We want to] be a venue for the arts,” Bates said. Bates also plans to use the shop’s space to showcase local art as well as host more events like musical shows.

Still, most importantly, cupcakes are still great because “they make people happy,” Bates said.