Now you can have your cake and eat it too at Prickle, a new bakeshop next to Stump\u2019s Family Marketplace in Point Loma.<\/p>\n
It might seem unusual to have a bakeshop with a cactus for a name and mascot, but it is entirely appropriate for the bakeshop\u2019s new owner.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s inspired by all the cacti and succulent vegetation here: I love it,\u201d said Blair Braz, a Canadian native who pointed out there aren\u2019t a lot of cacti up north. \u201cI started back in Canada decorating cakes and I would put on buttercream cacti, succulents, and that sort of thing. So I became known for that back home.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prickle opened about three weeks ago at 3772 Voltaire St. in the plaza across the street from the Point Loma\/Hervey Branch Library.<\/p>\n
Noting her husband is in the healthcare field, Braz said the weather, the lifestyle, and job opportunities were all factors drawing them to the States and San Diego. \u201cI had been hoping to open a bakery in Canada, but when we decided to move down here, we were looking at locations and ended up taking over for Cupcakes Squared Inc., which was here for about 16 years,\u201d said Braz. \u201cTheir owner retired. Now I\u2019ve taken over.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prickle does not sell donuts or bagels, which are available nearby from other businesses in the local baking industry. Braz talked about what Prickle does specialize in. \u201cEvery day in the display case we have a variety of different cupcakes, cookies, brownie bars, and cakes,\u201d she said. \u201cOftentimes, in our to-go fridge, we have cakes already decorated for people who just want to come in, grab a cake and go. My business caters more to the modern, Instagram-worthy kind of foodie style versus more traditional styles.\u201d<\/p>\n
There is another side to Prickle, an educational component.<\/p>\n
\u201cA big part of our business is that we teach cake-decorating classes here in the shop, generally in the evenings,\u201d Braz said adding, \u201cI love decorating and teaching. We are starting to host parent and child classes as well. We have a number of those coming up. We are going to be looking for another venue to host them, just so we can accommodate more people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Of her baking craft, blank noted: \u201cI\u2019m really passionate about it.\u201d Braz added cake baking started as a hobby but quickly became a calling. \u201cI wanted to make my son\u2019s first birthday cake,\u201d she said adding, \u201cI just wanted to make a resource for people who want to try decorating cakes, and have no idea of where to start. The classes are fun, different, and a unique experience that people can do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Most of Prickle\u2019s customers so far are from the Peninsula, but her cake-decorating classes have drawn interest from those living as far away as Oceanside.<\/p>\n
Looking ahead, Braz noted she\u2019d \u201creally like to get more involved in the community, as well as making sure we have the best quality products. Hopefully, as we continue to grow our customer base, we\u2019ll open up more hours.\u201d<\/p>\n
PRICKLE BAKESHOP<\/p>\n
Where: 3772 Voltaire St.<\/p>\n
Hours: Thursdays-Saturdays 11 a.m.-6 p.m.<\/p>\n