Inspiring true story behind Sara Sara Cupcakes

This is an addendum to our post about the impending opening of Sara Sara Cupcakes, and one that I thought deserved its own post. From tragedy comes something truly inspiring, and to me, this story embodies the spirit of what cupcake lovers are all about.

from the story "Piece of cake - Promise to niece starts downtown cupcake bakery" by Steve Lackmeyer in The Oklahoman:

"My family is very gregarious and loud," Hoffman said. "But my niece was the shy one. And for years, we baked cupcakes — it was our own special thing."

Just as Hoffman was showing Sara Brinson how to create a carrot design atop a cupcake, the 18-year-old made a vow to her aunt: "You and I are going to run a cupcake shop together someday." Hoffman was puzzled — she repeated what Brinson said to make sure she heard her correctly.

"Yeah," Brinson said, "that's all you and I know how to do."

'I made a promise'

The next day, Brinson died from sudden cardiac arrest. Three months later, Hoffman was watching "Jimmy Kimmel Live" when she heard the host discuss the reason he loved Los Angeles — the city's cupcake bakeries. Hoffman called her sister Dana, Sara's mother, after the late-night show was over and pitched Sara Brinson's idea. Dana Brinson reminded Hoffman they didn't know how to operate a bakery.

"I don't care," Hoffman said, "I made a promise — we'll figure it out."

And that, Hoffman said, is the start of the story of how she decided to open Sara Sara Cupcakes.

Comments

Unknown said…
Do you know when the store opens? It says "opening Thanksgiving weekend", but store hours aren't listed on their website.