A new bakery is coming to 4409 Main Street in Manayunk by the name of Sweet Elizabeth’s Cakes. The idea for the cupcake-centric spot was born when owners, husband/wife duo Liz and Owen Paradiso (Manayunk residents for 5 years), wanted to create a place in Manayunk to hang out that wasn’t a bar. According to Liz, they are hoping to create a hip and cool atmosphere centered around cake and art.

The new locale will be taking over what was formerly Dairyland, which will give them just more than 1,000 square feet of space to concoct their delectable creations. The retail space will sell cupcakes and fun novelties, but will focus on cakes fit for all special occasions. There will be a lobby/seating area which will be able to accommodate anywhere between 12 and 24 seats, as well as plans for a few outdoor benches for those who would like to sit and enjoy their purchase; fresh coffee, tea, or a glass of ice cold local milk will also be available to accompany the cupcakes or take to go.

Liz is a graduate from The Culinary Institute of America (with a degree in baking and pastry arts) and has spent 10 years working in top-notch restaurants and bakeries along the east coast; Owen is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University with a degree in hospitality management and has been recently working with a local restaurant group.

The opening of Sweet Elizabeth’s Cakes is set for June of this year, which will be just in time to welcome visitors for the Bike Race and the Manayunk Arts Festival. With recipes like the Senor Chipotle (chocolate chipotle cake, Mexican spiced ganache, and candied chili peppers) and Circus Cupcake (roasted banana cake, salted caramel filling, hazelnut buttercream and garnished with kettlecorn popcorn), we will be anxious to do some of our own sampling.