Vanilla's Cupcakery just opened in Jacksonville, Florida

There's a new Florida bakery in the Avondale section of Jacksonville called Vanilla's Cupcakery, though apparently their website isn't quite ready for public viewing as there's a lot of placeholders there but the photos do make their cupcakes look quite enticing. When they have more info on their site, we'll let you know.

The Florida Times-Union clued us in to Vanilla's:

What goes on inside the location at 4000 St. Johns Ave. is beyond the usual pale. These are high-end treats that include flavors like Boston cream or cream cheese - although owner Alex Davis and the crew don't ignore the basic flavors.

Vanilla's Cupcakery technically opened last week, but the time has been spent fine-tuning everything from flavors to hours.

"We have spent the week listening to our customers and have learned greatly from them," Davis said.

The shop is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday as of this writing, but that could change.

Vanilla's Cupcakery can handle large orders, but does not do large cakes. For information, call (904) 647-7586.

Comments

Anonymous said…
I noticed the pictures of their cupcakes look just like some I saw on Flickr. I tried searching Flickr for "Vanilla's" but couldn't find anything. Does anyone know if Vanilla's has posted on Flickr?
Anonymous said…
I knew I saw that blue & white one somewhere...http://coffeecupcake.wordpress.com/2008/06/04/blueberry-white-tea-cupcakes/

So, I guess the woman that started this blog lives in Jacksonville and was able to open her own cupcake shop. That's cool when you see all that come together...especially when she just had a baby! I don't know how some people manage their time so well.
Anonymous said…
Uh oh. Bad news about pics on the website. This would fall under the heading, What Not to Do When Opening a New Business.

The pictures I saw were not taken by the proprieter of Vanilla's but by some of our fellow Flickr friends and bakers.

The picture I listed in a previous comment was posted by jennypbj on Nov. 27th of 2007 who is not the owner of Vanilla's.

The second pic I noticed was posted by CakeJournal on May 7th, 2007. Again, not the owner of Vanilla's.

There is another pic I recognized but have not been able to find the poster. It's a cupcake with pink, white chocolate swirls on the top accented by a white fondant flower. If you are the owner of this picture, it is being used on the Vanilla's website.

I sincerely hope that Ms. Davis has gotten permission to use the photos on her site as depictions of her work. If that is the case then I would suggest a disclaimer on the site that indicates to perspective customers that the images reflect work that CAN be done, but was not actually done by the baker.
Anonymous said…
Uh oh. Bad news about pics on the website. This would fall under the heading, What Not to Do When Opening a New Business.

The pictures I saw were not taken by the proprieter of Vanilla's but by some of our fellow Flickr friends and bakers.

The picture I listed in a previous comment was posted by jennypbj on Nov. 27th of 2007 who is not the owner of Vanilla's.

The second pic I noticed was posted by CakeJournal on May 7th, 2007. Again, not the owner of Vanilla's.

There is another pic I recognized but have not been able to find the poster. It's a cupcake with pink, white chocolate swirls on the top accented by a white fondant flower. If you are the owner of this picture, it is being used on the Vanilla's website.

I sincerely hope that Ms. Davis has gotten permission to use the photos on her site as depictions of her work. If that is the case then I would suggest a disclaimer on the site that indicates to perspective customers that the images reflect work that CAN be done, but was not actually done by the baker.
Anonymous said…
I am "jennypbj" on Flickr, and yes, that's my photo of Blueberry White Tea Cupcakes, but definitely not my shop! I live in Canada!
Emilie said…
Cupcake controversy for sure. Patti-Kake alerted me to the presence of one of my cupcake photos on their site as well and when I went to check it out, I noticed that it was not only the one that she noticed, but another as well. I'm happy to license my photos under a Creative Commons license, but it's pretty clear that the terms of that license include attribution (which they did not give) and non-commerical usage, (which they are not providing). The website makes "their cupcakes look quite enticing" indeed! Bake on flickr cupcake makers, you all rock! Uncool, Vanilla Cupcakery, uncool.
Anonymous said…
i really don't get why people post photos of other's work on their websites. are vanilla cupcakery's decorating skills that poor and why be THAT unoriginal? it's just bizarre.
Anonymous said…
I also had my picture stolen, http://www.flickr.com/photos/lectric_blue/1084021094/in/set-72157600589083924/ thanks to patti-kake's for telling me... I am still in shock, I can't believe that these people steal other peoples creations and make them their own!!! If I had my own cupcake shop, I'm pretty sure I would like my own creations to be pictured...
I tried to contact them, still no answer...
Heather said…
I decided to visit them at their Jacksonville location to see if the cupcakes looked like they did on the website. When I asked why the cupcakes looked so different they told me that they are in the process of having someone contracted through their webhost create their webpage and that they believe the photos on the website were stock photos. I have a feeling that whoever threw their website together stole the cupcake photos and added them to the site :( While I was in their shop they said that they have had some problems with their website; text was incorrect and their name was even spelled incorrectly. They even mentioned that the site was not supposed to be online yet and that they were in the process of taking it off line until it was complete with pictures of their own cupcakes.

I took the following picture of Vanilla's Cupcakery's actual cupcakes:

http://flickr.com/photos/fuzzykitty/2596688236/
Anonymous said…
If my website was not ready, I don't know that I would give the website address to the local newspaper to publish, but it is what it is I suppose.

I am glad to see that they do indeed posess decorating skills, which still begs the question why they didn't do exactly what you did Heather and just take pictures of their own product. Though they said they were waiting to get pics of each flavor, the "stock" pics on their site weren't a depiction of any of the flavors they make, so it doesn't really add up. Oh well. Hope they tasted good.
Jean said…
Just discovered the shop and stopped in. (My twins and I ALWAYS brake for cupcakes!) Didn't know anything about the photo issues cited here, but Vanilla's cupcakes looked mighty pretty in person. There were even some highly decorative miniature cupcakes they'd made "just for show" to showcase their talents.

I had the Aztec chocolate cupcake--very unusual flavor combo of dark chocolate, cinnamon, and a touch of cayenne, quite spicy but very good. I picked up the tiramisu, raspberry and triple chocolate for later. The twins gave their cakes the thumbs up, too.

Very dangerous development for me, as there are now TWO cupcake shops within walking distance of my house! (The other is "Let Them Eat Cake" up at the Avondale shops, which really focuses on baking larger cakes, but always has a great selection of cupcakes on hand, too. The owner's buttercream frosting is pure ambrosia if you can get it fresh out of the mixer.)
Anonymous said…
Oh my goodness Jean, Yes "Let Them Eat Cake" has the best buttercream!
They are truly great bakers there.
Anonymous said…
I have to recommend my new personal favorite bakery with the most glorious buttercream ever. It's called Choux Designer Cakes & Pastries and we got a cake a cupcakes from there recently on a recommendation from a friend. I can't say enough about how fantastic those sweets tasted. Plus, the baker is an award winning decorator. I'm a customer for life. She's located in Riverside, so not that far from the other two places actually...
Anonymous said…
I love cupcakes and stopped in to check out Vanilla’s. Although not the best storefront, the cupcakes were delicious! I tried the Vanilla with Strawberry icing, the Vanilla with Chocolate icing, and the Chocolate cake with Peanut Butter icing (my favorite – and I don’t even like chocolate cake that much). “Let Them Eat Cake” is another bakery right down the road in Avondale, but Vanilla’s cupcakes were 10 times better! And I love that they are open late… Whenever I have a craving for a cupcake and don’t feel like baking, I’ll definitely be coming here!
Anonymous said…
OMG!!! Vanilla'a cupcakery is the best! I live in Fruit Cove Florida and have made a special trip back over to this place because their cupcakes are so good! My husband and I have tried at least 8 flavors so far and they are all great! I really love the chocolate/blueberry combo. Really different! The owner seems like the nicest guy!! I was shocked when I was reading the blogs about the pictures and stuff! You people don't even have a clue who you are even talking about. I believe that he is sincere in his mistake. People are so quick to judge these days! I highly recommend that you all stop by and see and meet Mr. Davis. He's a wonderful person! But the cupcakes are what you really need to go for!! Hey, at least people are buzzing about this new place anyway! 5 Stars!
Anonymous said…
I am looking for a place in houston, could be a restaurant or bakery that teach how to cook cakes. I am not looking to become a chef or to get a certificate. I just want to learn different types of cakes. Please let me know if any of you knows a place!!
Anonymous said…
It does not matter who cup cakes looks like whos.If it looks good taste it. If not throw it away.I had his cupcakes and they taste just like what you are eating.So,if anybody has a problem with the way they look or where the picture came from who cares you cant taste a picture.So dont like it hike it and "Go make your own."
Cynthia said…
Vanilla's cupcakery is by far the best out of the shops around town including Let them eat cake. They look better and taste MUCH better! My son and I ride our bikes to his shop VERY often to get a cupcake or two. Mr. Davis is so so nice and I truly believe the photo fiasco was a mistake. Let him ANd the cupcakes speak for themselves, do yourself a favor get one of these cupcakes for sure! I am in love!