COLORADO SPRINGS — The COVID-19 pandemic is far from over but there are more glimmers of hope as many of us work to rebound.
We’re taking a look at local small businesses and how they continue to stay afloat. Bakeries that specialize in celebrations, including weddings, took a huge hit this year. Some have sadly closed for good. Those that remain open say they’re so thankful to still be around to help people make lasting memories.
At the Sugarplum Cake Shoppe in Colorado Springs they were set for their biggest year yet.
"It was going gangbusters this year, this was a breakout year for us, but not anymore,” owner Amanda Adams said.
But the bakery is popping once again. The team of pastry chefs is running around and baking and decorating cookies and cakes for everything from birthdays to weddings.
Adams said she couldn’t believe that their ten year anniversary on April 6th ended up being in a pandemic.
“The first week the governor started closing everything down, our sales dropped by 80 percent,” Adams said, “It was staggering. We thought, okay, what are we going to do?”
Adams said her bank was proactive and helped her get PPP and EIDL loans. She was able to retain her eight employees and they made some modifications to their business model, like doing curbside pickup and slashing prices on deliveries.
While some weddings cancelled, many others rescheduled, and brides and grooms are still going to the shop for tastings.
“We wanted the ceremony this year and I was starting to plan,” bride-to-be Christina Rhodes said, “But then, you know, we thought, I don’t think it’s gonna happen even September this year, considering we have family from out of town. People are afraid to travel right now. So we said we’ll wait. We did the right thing, we got engaged, so now we’re just waiting for our special day.”
Rhodes and her fiance got engaged during the pandemic. They have set their wedding date for September 2021 and are staying optimistic despite the uncertainty.
“You never know what’s gonna be open or closed. Who’s gonna still be in business, what venues will be available or still around,” groom-to-be Ronald Turner said.
Adams said she’s thankful for her customers who still come by, even though they’re also in the middle of renovations. Those started a few weeks before the shutdown.
“The renovation money we set aside went to pay salaries. So we’re getting it done slowly but surely, and getting most of it done by ourselves now,” Adams said.
Unfortunately, she said she’s heard of small bakeries that didn’t survive. She worries about what’s still ahead but is also keeping a positive attitude.
“We’re doing what we love, it’s sweet and delicious. We’re not gonna complain or try to be part of the problem,” Adams said, “Our philosophy is to always take the high road.”
The bakery hopes to keep whipping up memories for years to come and that someday soon the pandemic will start to become a distant memory.
If you have an idea for our Rebound Colorado series email rebound@koaa.com.
