“People think we’re just a bakery,” says Molly’s Cupcakes founder John Nicolaides. “We’re really more than that. I wanted a place where young adults could hang out and not be a bar.”
Named for his late third grade teacher, who’d bring cupcakes whenever a student had a birthday, the school-themed shop on E. Liberty has board games, books, a lunchbox collection, and swings serving as counter seating (they’re also chained to the floor to prevent things from getting too wild).
Nicolaides gave up his career as an advertising executive and starting in 2004 spent three years developing cupcake recipes that would eventually earn acclaim in USA Today and on the Food Network’s Cupcake Wars. He’s particularly proud of their “very distinct” crème brûlée variety.
“We focus on two things: flavor, and they have to be moist,” he says, noting that stock is rotated out about eighteen hours after baking.
Customers can select scratch-made cupcakes from a glass case or design one with their own choice of cake, frosting, and topping. The store also offers other classic desserts—cookies, brownies, pies, cake, and cheesecake—and a full coffee bar.
Molly’s website lists stores in six states, but Nicolaides says that while he’s helped set friends up elsewhere, he has three primary locations: Chicago, West Village in New York City, and Ann Arbor, where he’s been staying in Airbnbs for the months leading up to their July launch.
“If you asked me what I’m more proud of, the cupcakes or the staff, I would say the staff,” he adds. “They’re the ones that make all these special. If you cloned me and had, like, ten of me in a location, the place would go bankrupt.”
His hiring strategy is to not overanalyze candidates. “I don’t care about their backgrounds. I don’t care about customer service experience. I just want them to be smart and friendly,” he says. “I can teach you how to work in a bakery. I can’t teach you how to be smart or resourceful or show initiative.”
Molly’s Cupcakes, 617 E. Liberty. (734) 800–4943. Sun.–Thurs. 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Fri. & Sat. 10 a.m.–10 p.m. mollyscupcakes.com
