BUSINESS: Small eatery offers a little bit of everything in eastern Greene County

By Tawni Prudhomme Mary Fields and Elese Fields Wellman (above), along with Moriah Crane, opened the Cupcake Cafe in September 2008. It's located on State Road 45, just east of the intersection of State Roads 45/445 in eastern Greene County. [Order this photo]

This small eatery opened in September 2008. It's located on State Road 45 just east of the intersection of 45/445.

Mary Fields, Elese Fields Wellman, and Moriah Crane are the family members who own and operate the restaurant.

"Mom and Pop" businesses are special places simply because of family participation and involvement. The Cupcake Cafe is no exception.

Daughter Elese explained, "The timing was right to begin this cafe. Our family felt this area needed something different. The building was empty and available for purchase. We came in and took down walls, built an addition, and remodeled the restroom. Everything has been totally renovated. Traffic flow on this highway is very busy."

She went on to say, "The idea for our business came from all of us. Our family always gets together and cooks and bakes. We have a really good time. I love to bake. The recipes we use here have been passed down through the generations. We use recipes from our grandmother and our aunts."

Mary Fields, Elese and Moriah's mother spoke about the gingerbread houses the ladies have made together.

She said, "We have always made gingerbread houses. We began making them for fundraising at the Bloomington Hospital's Festival of Trees. When this ended, we looked for other fundraisers. We now make them for Conner Prairie near Indianapolis, Madison, Indiana, and Shawnee Theater. Everything that is a part of the house is edible."

The Cupcake Cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and specializes in decadent desserts. Breakfast items include biscuits and gravy, scones, cinnamon rolls, coffee cake, and tasty muffins. On the lunch menu are soups, salads, and deli sandwiches with fresh, delicious toppings. Also to tempt the taste buds are coffees, smoothies, and coffee drinks such as lattes, cappuccinos, and mochas.

Need a specialty item? Cupcakes, birthday cakes, photo cakes, wedding cakes, cookie bouquets, giant cookies, bonbons, brownies, and whatever tickles your dessert fancy are available. A variety of flavors such as Red Velvet, Hummingbird, Mocha, Pistachio, Wedding White, Kahlua Chocolate, Strawberry, and Snickerdoodle are included.

Mary stated, "Most everything we serve is homemade."

Sampling the items on the menu will more than support this claim. The Cafe is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. To place a special order, call 825-1536. There is seating for 15 and small groups may make reservations for breakfast or lunch.