Though it may seem like the cupcake craze has overstayed its welcome, Chicago’s own pastry scene is set to welcome yet another member to this crowded category: the infamous Magnolia Bakery. The Huffington Post reports that Magnolia is looking to pioneer new frontiers, one of them being the Chicago Loop area.
Chicago’s no stranger to cupcakes, and the incoming Magnolia Bakery will have to face competition from Swirlz, Molly’s Cupcakes, Phoebe’s Cupcakes, The Cupcake Counter, and Sprinkles, in addition to a growing trend of cupcake trucks, led by Flirty Cupcakes. While it may pack the extra panache of being the cupcake destination du jour of Sex and the City, its late arrival might pass by a population that is potentially tired of the petite pastry trend.
As Chicago’s trendy factor rises, numerous well-known designers and shops have been creating new homes in the Windy City. Food and fashion have been going hand in hand for quite sometime now, and cupcakes in particular have even risen to ‘designer’ status. Will Magnolia Bakery’s fresh-from-NYC vibe be welcomed with open arms by the stylish food community? Or have Chicagoans already gotten their fill of these tiny treats?
—Jaya Sah
