CupKates Bringing Sweet Success to Salina

Over the past few years, downtown Salina has gone through an astonishing transformation. Blending historic features, fine art, and new modern-day services that cater to both the Salina community and visitors. With these new upgrades, downtown Salina has seen a tremendous growth of small businesses of all sorts, including shopping, art, and dining. One of the more recent “small business” additions to the community is CupKates, a gluten free bakery and cafe which opened over the summer.

Being a new business in downtown Salina, CupKates is driven to bring their best to all of Salina. On their website CupKates highlights their mission statement which states,

“CupKates was founded for those whose dietary restrictions leave them with nowhere to go. Everything in the shop is 100% gluten free. We are huge fruit fanatics and provide the community with real fruit smoothies and juices.”

Grand Opening

Located at 228C S. Santa Fe Ave, CupKates opened its doors in early June with a soft launch that led to the bakery selling out nearly every day. On June 21st, CupKates officially opened their doors with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and also the launch of their full cafe menu. On the menu you can find all sorts of breakfast and lunch sandwiches, such as their bacon, egg, and gouda breakfast sandwich and their toastie lunch sandwich. They also sell a variety of other breakfast foods and also salads.

However, what makes CupKates so unique is their rotating option of pastries and treats, that are all gluten-free. One member of the Salina community says that “I think that CupKates has been a great addition to downtown Salina. It’s cool how they have a rotating menu and it’s also unique that it is a gluten free bakery.”

Tuesdays and Thursdays Specials 

• Strawberry banana cupcakes
• Chocolate caramel cookie cupcakes
• Zucchini bread
• Bacon cheddar and chive scones

Wednesday and Friday Specials

• Orange creamsicle cupcakes
• Cherry limeade cupcakes
• Chocolate peanut butter banana bread
• Salami and pepper jack scones

To view CupKates full menu, you can visit their website at https://cupkatescafe.com/our-menu/. 

Besides just selling meals and sweets, CupKates offers a variety of drink options which include drip coffee, fruit smoothies (like peach, raspberry, pineapple), and quenchers. One Kansas Wesleyan University student says that “not only do I like the pastries and sweets that CupKates offers, but I also like the different drinks that they offer as well. One of my current favorites is their strawberry smoothie.”

From the moment you first walk into CupKates, you will be met with the comforting atmosphere that every cafe has. The space is full of bright colors, with all sorts of plants, decoration, and wall art that gives it this comforting feel to it. The staff is very friendly and personable and are more than happy to help you find your new favorite drinks and treats from CupKates.