Cupcake and ice cream chain to open in west Lawrence; local economic development leader resigns

I’ve been wondering what that odd feeling is every time I drive by the small retail center near the northeast corner of Sixth and Wakarusa. Now, I know. It is my cholesterol count preparing for what’s to come. How’s this for a line up: Burgers and barbecue at Biggs, then next door frozen yogurt at Orange Leaf, and now I have word that next door to that will be cupcakes and ice cream, if you choose.

A sign has gone up announcing that Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery plans to open a shop in the Bauer Farm development near Sixth and Wakarusa.

Smallcakes is a national franchise, but it is based out of Kansas City. Its founder, Jeff Martin, found fame by appearing on the popular television show “Cupcake Wars.” According to various web reports, he gained particular notoriety on one episode by forgetting to add the pumpkin to a pumpkin cupcake. (Don’t feel bad: I think without fail I have forgotten to add the broccoli to broccoli and cheese.)

He’s recovered from that mistake, though, and the chain has more than 100 locations across the U.S. and a few international ones too. The chain touts 18 different flavors of cupcakes baked fresh each day. The company more recently has gotten into the ice cream business. Its website says it has 15 different flavors of small-batch ice cream made on site. The ice cream largely takes cupcake recipes and turns them into ice cream. That means flavors such as red velvet, lemon drop, cookies and cream, salted caramel crunch, peanut butter cup and traditional flavors such as chocolate and strawberry.

No word yet on who the franchise owner will be, or when the shop plans to open. But renovation work is underway in the small space. In case you are trying to picture the location for the new store, it is in the spot previously occupied by Alterations by Sarah. No word on what has happened to that business, but perhaps it was just slightly ahead of its time. Soon, though, it may work. Burgers, frozen yogurt, cupcakes. It sure seems like the fourth door ought to be a place to have your clothes altered.

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In other news and notes from around town:

There’s news of some changes at the Lawrence chamber of commerce. Larry McElwain, president and CEO of The Chamber, has sent out an email to some leaders of the chamber notifying them that Brady Pollington, the leader of The Chamber’s economic development efforts, has resigned, and is no longer on the staff. The note wished Pollington well on his future endeavors, but provided no other details. I put a call into Pollington this morning, but haven’t heard back from him.

Pollington served as the key staff member for both The Chamber and the Economic Development Corporation of Lawrence and Douglas County. He was responsible for day-to-day operations of the economic development program, which is the primary point of contact for large businesses seeking to relocate or expand in the community. For instance, he was leading the efforts to find possible tenants for Lawrence VenturePark, the new business park on the eastern edge of the city. No word yet on a timeline for replacing Pollington.

Also, McElwain confirmed what we previously had reported was a strong likelihood: The chamber is moving its offices to a new downtown location. The chamber is finalizing a lease to move into the Hobbs Taylor Lofts building near Eighth and New Hampshire streets. My understanding is the organization will occupy ground-floor space in that multistory building. The chamber is currently located in second-floor space at Seventh and Vermont streets.

I’ve got a call into McElwain. I’ll let you know if I hear of more details.