The new Molly’s Cupcakes, 2503 53rd Ave., Bettendorf, is already building a loyal fan base.
One of the new store’s fans is U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa.
The 67-year-old congresswoman was at the cupcake bakery Friday morning, Sept. 1, for a Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new business. She was also enjoying the sweet treats. Rep. Miller-Meeks had a creme brulee cupcake and was planning to take a key lime cupcake home.
“When you can come in here and see the owners and know everything is made from scratch, you can tell it’s a great establishment,” she said during the opening ceremonies.
Molly’s Cupcakes, which opened its doors for business on Aug. 10, had its official welcoming on Friday. More than 50 people from the business community packed the bakery space to welcome the business to the Quad Cities.
Visitors included Bettendorf Mayor Bob Gallagher, who welcomed Molly’s Cupcakes to the community, members of the QC Chamber Ambassadors and customers who stopped by on Friday in search of the perfect cupcake.
Also on hand were business co-owners Jamie Skinner and Sierra McVietty. Ms. Skinner gave the crowd a brief history of the business. It was founded by John Nicolaides in 2007 and named after one of his grade-school teachers.
In fact, one of the signs in the business states: “Molly was my third grade teacher. Whenever one of her students had a birthday, she made cupcakes. In honor of Molly, we donate part of our profits to help local schools.” (The sign is signed “Johnny, chief egg cracker and founder.”)
Ms. Skinner worked at the original Molly’s Cupcakes store in Chicago, and started a Molly’s in Iowa City in 2012. Today, there are about 15 Molly’s Cupcakes stores around the country.
She invited the crowd to try some of the cupcakes and let her know what they think of the treats.
“We are always looking for feedback. … Everything is homemade. We are proud of it all,” she added.
After Friday’s brief ribbon-cutting and welcoming ceremonies, Ms. Skinner told the QCBJ that she’s happy with how the Bettendorf business has gotten off to a fast start and is gaining customers.
“Everybody has made us feel so good. … We feel lucky to be in such a good neighborhood,” she said.
In addition to cupcakes, Molly’s also features cheesecakes, other full-sized cakes and pies. (The store requires a 48-hour notice to make many of its non-cupcake offerings.
In addition to the sweet treats, many of the customers liked the interior look of the new business. Molly’s Cupcakes has the look of a fun classroom with swings in the seating area, lunch boxes displayed on the walls and a big chalkboard.
The art on the chalkboard is dominated by the phrase “E=MC2.” In this instance, that phrase stands for “Eat Molly’s Cupcakes.”
The business is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The phone number is (563) 526-8617.
