For years, Janice De Ruiter ran a bulk food store in Surrey. In time, that evolved to a full-blown cake decorating store with everything anyone would need to make cakes and cupcakes that would be the envy of the neighbourhood.
But the Surrey store was situated in an area where residents were not accustomed to the sugary confection of the western world.
After 24 years, De Ruiter decided to move her business, Scoop-N-Save, to #103, 20258 Fraser Hwy., in Langley City.
It was a smart business decision.
“It was a really good move,” said De Ruiter whose store is run by four full-time and two part-time employees. The business is virtually recession-proof.
“People always have birthdays,” she said. “And there are always things to celebrate.”
The customer base has broadened at this new, ideal location, and the timing of the move six years ago couldn’t have been better. Cupcakes were making a comeback in a big way.
Today, they are replacing the traditional multi-tiered wedding cake, and are often the highlight of many dessert tables at functions.
On Saturday, Sept. 15, Scoop-N-Save will celebrate three remarkable decades with a party at the store, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be face painting, balloons that look like animals, refreshments, prizes and plenty of cupcakes for children to decorate.
The store is swimming in goodies for those embarking as a decorator to those eager to adorn cakes and cupcakes with the most elaborate and innovative designs.
For that day only, chocolate molds and individual cookie cutters will be on sale at half price.
Chocolate molds of reusable material come in dozens of designs, from princesses, pirates, teeth, tea parties, seashells, fish, guitars, soccer balls, birds and bees, and plenty more.
There are tubs of Bavarian cream, tubes of chocolate, bags of candy for decorating cakes and cupcakes, ready-made icing in a rainbow of colours, sprinkles and sugars. There are compartments of sugar pressed into hundreds of shapes including flowers, bugs, birds, fruit and leaves. There are hundreds of cake and cupcake toppers.
Cookie cutters range from the tiniest snowflakes to giant maple leaves.
Supplies include cake pans and molds, and colours for chocolate, airbrushes and icing, and flavours, such as root beer, champagne, pina colada and bubblegum for icing, cakes and chocolates. Paper cupcake holders come in two or three sizes and dozens of designs.
As the store’s clientele expands throughout the Lower Mainland, its online store (www.scoop-n-save.com) is filling orders from all over Canada.
While De Ruiter is enjoying the sweet taste of success, there are no plans to expand its online business in the U.S. or overseas.
“Not yet,” adds De Ruiter.