Whether across campus or a short drive across town, there is never a shortage of fresh bakery options in Auburn. Taylor's Bakery and Gigi's Cupcakes are two local businesses that aim to satisfy any sweet tooth while providing their own unique atmosphere.
Since opening in August of last year, Gigi's has been a popular spot for locals and students to get their cupcake fix.
For $3, customers can choose from more than 10 flavors of cupcakes, with different selections each day as well as more popular flavors available every day. Gigi's fall and winter menu currently provides 32 flavors, and on March 21 Gigi's will switch to its spring and summer menu.
Gigi's employee Jerre Ann Powell said on a typical Saturday the store will sell about 700-800 cupcakes.
Powell said cupcake sales were slower in November and December.
Lana Smith, first year master's student in ruminant nutrition, said she can't get enough of Gigi's cupcakes.
"I've probably tried half of their flavors," Smith said.
Gigi's offers cupcakes for weddings and other events, with cupcake stands to use with each order. Special order smaller cupcakes are also available for events for $1. Pricing and daily specials can be found on Gigi's website and Gigi's of Auburn's Facebook page.
Powell said gift cards from Gigi's have become popular for birthdays and other occasions.
While Gigi's has become a hit with the Auburn community in the past year, Taylor's Bakery has been serving up desserts and coffee on the Plains for more than 13 years.
Abigail O'Brien, sophomore in fine arts, said she feels Gigi's is a good place to meet up with friends and enjoy a treat, but Taylor's Bakery gives students a spot to study, hang out and enjoy coffee and a snack close to campus.
Taylor's Bakery holds cupcake explosion days each month where customers can choose from 20-30 different cupcake flavors.
Owner Eade Vincent said the store sells about 1,000-2,000 cupcakes on those days. The most recent explosion was held March. 8.
Taylor's Bakery offers just two or three cupcake flavors daily, but each regular-sized cupcake is only $1. Eade said the flavors usually depend on the type of cakes he is making for Taylor's Bakery that day.
In addition to cupcakes, Taylor's Bakery sells cakes, pies, cookies, brownies, large cinnamon rolls and other sweets made fresh daily, giving customers a greater selection of treats to choose from.
Taylor's Bakery also provides catering for events.
"We can do just about anything with an advance notice," Vincent said.
Vincent also said nicer weather brings more customers to Taylor's Bakery, as it does to Gigi's.
Taylor's Bakery has gift cards available and recently began a customer rewards program. Customers can fill out a card with their name and e-mail to receive notifications on specials as well as a card to receive customer reward points.
Taylor's menu and daily specials are also available on its website and Facebook page.
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