Among the darkened storefronts and decaying facades of businesses that once thrived in the area, a few remaining jewels shine through the heavy clutter of "out of business" and "liquidating - everything must go" signs that dot each struggling shopping center.
One such obscured treasure is a little bakery shop tucked along the side of its nondescript retail plaza (Candlewood Shopping Center). Without a major anchor store to lure traffic off the highway, "Three Girls Cupcakes and Swirls" can be easily missed. It doesn't deserve to be missed, though.
How ironic that the business slogan is "Cupcakes Make Everything Better." They sure do; especially in a working middle-class town that has long been starved for something special to call its own along this portion of a state highway that offers increasingly better "finds" as it heads north through the towns of Freehold Township, Manalapan and Marlboro. "Three Girls..." definitely makes this part of Route 9 worth traversing.
Kelley Rountree and her partner opened the business this past summer, hoping to bring something new and different to the area. Prior to their arrival, area residents had to travel all the way over to Red Bank and down to Brick for mom and pop bakery made, specialty cupcakes. The two women have a special talent in coming up with exciting, unusual and very delicious blends of ingredients to produce their outstanding cupcakes; each a magnificent work of art.
Take, for example, their "Chunky Monkey" cupcake, which has a mocha butter cream swirl with a banana chip atop of it. The real surprise is their mouth-watering filling. Kelley created a banana custard filling to die for. It is so smooth and creamy, even a wild monkey would be calmed by it. The chocolate cupcake, itself, is fresh and moist and equally delicious. That's what we like to see in any cake.
"Three Girls Cupcakes and Swirls" is not a very large place and they don't have lots of cupcakes to choose from, though there are always about a dozen different varieties on hand at all times. Recognize thought, that it is not always about having dozens of unsold and stale creations in a showcase to choose from. Isn't it much better to know that what IS available is freshly made and equally appealing in appearance and taste? This is the case, here.
The store is done up in themed pink, and it is as immaculate as the staff is friendly. On the counter are various fresh baked items, such as brownies and cookies that all looked home-made delicious. They also sell frozen custard and a variety of hot and chilled drinks.
While we visited, Kelley mentioned that they often run small parties in the store and that they are also a charity-friendly business; donating their products for fundraising events. We especially love socially responsible businesses that help make a difference.
"Three Girls Cupcakes and Swirls" is open six days a week until 6 pm (or as Kellie mentioned, ...until the cupcakes run out.) They open each day at 11 am.
The current website (http://www.threegirlscupcake.com/) is a simply-designed placeholder for a more interactive and informative one to come later, but it does offer the store's physical address and phone number; links to the business' Facebook and Twitter pages; and an easy way to contact the store by email.
Since they are located in a small shopping center, there is more than adequate free parking, on-site.
Stop by soon.
