Little Scratch Cupcakery Moving to Big, New Cedar Falls World

More than the season is changing in the Cedar Valley. Soon, one of the area’s premier suppliers of splendid confections and colorful treats will receive an upgrade.

, usually called “Scratch” by its large following of baked-goods enthusiasts, will be relocating to 315 Main Street from its current location at 111 West 2^nd Street. The current location will remain open through Nov. 23, with the new location opening its doors Nov. 25.

“So much is changing,” says Natalie Brown, the store’s owner.

Opened in June 2010 and originally called Scratch Bakery and Cafe, Brown changed the name and narrowed the emphasis of the menu to just cupcakes when customers sent them flying from the shelves. The cupcakes are served in an ambitiously diverse array of flavors, ranging from tried-and-true vanilla to crowd-pleasing flavors with creative designations such as Monkey Business, Wedding Day and Salty Dog.

Whereas the current location is emphatically compact, with limited standing room for the store’s many customers to order their favorite treats, the new location should delight cupcake devotees.

“The thing our customers will notice first is seating, and lots of it,” Brown says.

Power outlets will be available at most tables and free Wi-Fi will be available.

An even bigger change for the store comes in their increased production capacity. In the current location, customers are limited to two dozen cupcakes if they haven’t previously placed an order. The new location, affectionately nicknamed “Big Scratch” by the staff, will be free of such limitations, meaning walk-in customers will be able to order several dozen cupcakes without having to wait.

More space also means more menu items.

“We’re also expanding our gelato options, offering more in the way of coffee and hot drinks, and offering more cupcake flavors each day,” says Brown.

As much as Brown and her staff are anticipating the changes, it’s perhaps the customers who will truly reap the benefits of Scratch Cupcakery’s expansion.

“It’s a great place,” says Katie Hemmen, 54, a customer who stopped in for a few cupcakes. She said she looks forward to “Not having to wait outside in the cold weather” for a treat.

“Our current customers are thrilled,” Brown said. “From the day we announced the move, people have asked about it, and we’re finally able to say yes to so much more.”