Kansas City bakery will close, citing food costs. ‘Not an easy decision’
Cupcake-centric bakery Smallcakes is closing one of its only remaining Kansas City area locations after 10 years.
The Overland Park-born chain announced via social media Wednesday that it would shut down its 6127 NW 63rd Terrace spot on June 28 at 6 p.m.
The store cited rising food costs as a reason for its closure.
“This was not an easy decision,” the post reads in part. “It’s incredibly bittersweet. We’re heartbroken to say goodbye … but also excited for what’s ahead.”
Ownership was not available to discuss the details of the closure Thursday morning.
The chain still has one area location listed on its website: 14150 W. 119th St. in Olathe.
The very first Smallcakes was opened by Jeff Martin in 2008 at 14383 Metcalf Ave.
The business gained national recognition for its three appearances on Food Network baking competition Cupcake Wars in 2009, 2011 and 2012. It opened dozens of locations across the country and, in 2015, it was voted No. 3 for rapidly expanding concepts by Business Insider Magazine.
But cupcakes appeared to decline in popularity as the 2010s marched on. In 2014, Bloomberg News reported that the “great American cupcake craze” was waning. At the time, it mentioned growing Smallcakes as the exception.
While it has closed several Kansas City area stores over the past few years (13165 State Line Road, 2450 Grand Blvd., 10573 Mission Farms in Leawood, 6638 Monticello Road in Shawnee and 6936 W. 135th St. in Overland Park) it still has more than 100 spots across the country, plus one location in Dubai.
Cookies appear to be the dessert of choice at the moment, with companies like Insomnia Cookies, Crumbl and Twisted Sugar finding success in the Kansas City area.
This story was originally published June 12, 2025 at 1:00 PM.