Smallcakes Ribbon-Cutting: 'Joliet's Feedback Fantastic'

JOLIET, IL — At 12:03 p.m. on Friday, a woman walked inside the new Smallcakes bakery on West Jefferson Street and couldn't believe her eyes. About two dozen people stood near the entrance door and toward the front counter full of delicious cupcakes.

"Where's the line start?" she asked everyone. Luckily for her, there was not much of a line at all.

Smallcakes employees remained open for business while the rest of their colleagues participated in Friday's noon hour ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Joliet Chamber of Commerce and city of Joliet officials.

Smallcakes has opened at 2410 West Jefferson St. in Unit 106. Brandi Taylor is the Joliet Smallcakes owner and chief executive officer. Her mother, Kim Corbin, attended Friday's gala and she couldn't be prouder for daughter.

"I put in an application as general manager, and she said she can't afford me," Taylor's mother joked.

On a more serious note, Corbin said, "Oh, we have been tasting many a cupcake and boy, this was it. It's been great even before we opened, and the feedback Joliet has been giving us has been fantastic."

Smallcakes held its soft opening in Joliet on Sept. 17. However, the past week has felt like the real grand opening every day, according to Taylor.

Taylor told Joliet Patch that her grandmother died during the coronavirus pandemic, "so this is for my grandmother."

She also thanked the Joliet Chamber and city officials for helping her bring Joliet its first Smallcakes bakery.

"We appreciate the city for welcoming us," Taylor said.

She wanted everyone to know that Smallcakes plans to give back to the Joliet community.

Joliet Chamber President Jen Howard said attracting Smallcakes to Jefferson Street is another great success for the city. It's in a vibrant strip mall near the Walmart Supercenter and Menards, Howard said.

"We couldn't be more thrilled to have such a fun, upbeat and happy product and business opening in Joliet," Howard said. "Just coming into the store will make anyone happy."

City economic development Derek Conley said the addition of Smallcakes is another reminder that revitalization continues along West Jefferson Street.

Contractors were busy again Friday at the former Boston Market, which is being converted into a Pop's Italian Beef restaurant. Conley said that Tony's Fresh Market "is looking to get started, too" on the extensive renovations at the old Kmart property at Jefferson and Larkin.

"We've had a lot of good development and business activity here on Jefferson Street and Smallcakes have been a part of the mix," Conley said.