Large crowds in the Village during early morning hours on weekends has caused cardinal cupcakes & coneys to change their store hours.
The Village location is now open from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
“We decided to go late night because it seems that was the need that the students were asking for since they tend to come down more to the Village at night to go to the bars and to meet up with their friends for dinner,” Owner Melissa Bucur said. “The community seems to be more around during the day to grab something to take to the office, or to take something for home or to pick something up for a party.”
Along with new hours, Bucur has introduced a new toppings bar with 15 different options for coneys and baked potatoes at the Village location last week. The store on McGalliard remains dessert only.
Kaycie Hill, a senior elementary education major, agrees that the unusual hours fit well into college life.
“I think it’s nice that they have it for students when the library is open until 3 a.m. and since there’s some other things open that late in the Village,” Hill said. “I think they will help their business that way. If I was on campus studying [I would go] maybe during finals week.”
Freshman business major Travis Muller said he thinks the business will be losing customers who liked the more typical hours.
“It’s despicable. The average person has normal hours,” Muller said. “When they want a cupcake, they want a cupcake. You’re losing your customer support, your base, which gave you success in the first place. I go to work, I’m on my lunch break, I’m walking back from Subway and I want a cupcake.”
Cardinal cupcakes & coneys will also be facing competition from the incoming Insomnia Cookies, although Bucur isn’t worried.
“I think that they will attract a different crowd just with their delivering and different items they serve,” Bucur said. “We serve food and dessert while they are just in the dessert market, so I think that kind of sets us apart.”
Bucur said she welcomes competition to the Village because it brings more business to the Village.
“I would take one of each, especially if they delivered. I could have Jimmy Johns, Insomnia cookies and a cupcake; I’d be set,” said sophomore accounting major Laura Crawford. “Now I am going to get a cupcake.”
