Gather Here
This is the story of a place where people experience moments of joy. A space where troubles are left at the door and families connect over smiles and frosting. A warm and welcoming atmosphere that feels as much like a dream as it does reality. A cupcakery that has been described as evoking the feeling of walking into someone’s living room and sitting down with friends over a cupcake and a cup of tea. But like, a really enchanting living room where you gaze in wonder at the magic being woven all around you. As your eyes dance over soft florals and sparkling chandeliers, you find yourself in an aromatic embrace of freshly baked cupcakes. Breathe it in. Enjoy. You belong here.
When you walk through the doors of Oh My Cupcakes! you’re welcomed with genuine smiles and greetings; the kind of smiles that reach people’s eyes. The kind of welcome where you know you’re in just the right place at just the right time. A welcome where you know you are home.
The Backstory
South Dakota got its first taste of cupcake love in August of 2009 when Oh My Cupcakes! began baking delicious cupcake treats from scratch, with love. However, our entrance onto the scene wasn’t the “sweet ride” you may have imagined.
Our founder Melissa was fueled by a grand vision but backed by a pitifully small bank account. And, in 2009, our national economy was in a steady decline. People were losing jobs, companies were failing, and banks were hesitant to lend money to new businesses. Instead of a warm and welcoming space with sparkling chandeliers and delicate floral accents, Oh My Cupcakes! began in a commercial kitchen space sandwiched perfectly between a bowling alley and a liquor store. It may not have been pretty, but it was functional, and Oh My Cupcakes! got her start.
Things grew steadily from those humble beginnings, first moving into a downtown storefront location in 2010 (open only 8 am to 2 pm Monday-Saturday), then moving to our flagship store in the Bridges at 57th in August of 2013. South Dakota has embraced Oh My Cupcakes! as a beloved and “home grown” enterprise, and along the way we added:
-A kiosk in the Empire Mall
-Another standalone brick-and-mortar location at 3326 E 10th Street.
-A stationery and gift shop: Oh My Word Paperie
-A hand-poured soy candle company: Sweet Cream Candle Company
–Melissa J Creative, where Melissa has deepened her commitment to leading others through speaking, coaching, and publishing books.
In August of 2024, Oh My Cupcakes! joyfully celebrated 15 years of sweet treats, glitter, and magic in Sioux Falls. We can’t wait to see what’s next!
Our team of 40 Cupcake Ninjas thrill at the opportunity to serve our guests each day and to create a flavor experience like no other, from first look to last, delicious crumb.
The Accolades
Oh My Cupcakes!, our founder, and team have enjoyed some notable milestones and accolades along the cupcake journey:
- In 2013, the Small Business Association named Oh My Cupcakes! “Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year.”
- Oh My Cupcakes! has twice been named on the list of “Top 50 Cupcake Shops in America” (most recently taking the #19 spot) and is a Wedding Wire 5-Star rated business.
- A community leader dedicated to making a difference in people’s lives, Oh My Cupcakes! founder Melissa earned an award for Executive Leadership in EmBe’s Tribute to Women awards in 2013 and was a long-time mentor in the EmBe Women’s Leadership Program.
- In 2014, Oh My Cupcakes! long-term giving partnership with Children’s Miracle Network and Cure Kids Cancer was celebrated with the naming of a room at the Sanford Children’s Castle in honor of Oh My Cupcakes!
- In 2017, South Dakota Secretary of State Shantel Krebs awarded Melissa and Oh My Cupcakes! with the Spirit of Entrepreneurship award.
- Melissa was honored to have been selected to participate in Leadership South Dakota, a program that seeks to build the next generation of South Dakota leaders.
- Melissa is a sought-after keynote speaker and panelist at many professional gatherings and women’s conferences.
- In 2014, she wrote a book called Fingers in the Frosting, God’s Hand on the Creation of Oh My Cupcakes!, and in 2023, followed that book with Lifelong Learner: Reflections, Notes, and Discoveries.
- In 2019, Melissa was honored as Startup Champion with Hey, Sioux Falls for her work in helping new entrepreneurs take the leap and reach for their dreams in the same way she once did.
- In 2022, Melissa was invited to give a talk at the International Baking Industry Expo in Las Vegas. She spoke on The Art of Storytelling in growing a business people care about.
- Melissa joyfully serves on the boards of directors for the South Dakota Retailers Association, Avera Regional Council, and the Children’s Home Society.
- Melissa is an entrepreneur-in-residence with Startup Sioux Falls and is a certified co-starters facilitator, helping encourage other entrepreneurs on their business journey.
The big WHY
Oh My Cupcakes! Manifesto
What Oh My Cupcakes! is all about:
We are about delicious cupcakes and beautiful things. We are about the delicate, sometimes intangible aesthetic that turns life from a simple tune into an exquisite symphony.
We are about providing a distinctive layer to moments of joy and celebration, and sometimes providing comfort to seasons of sadness.
We believe in the good of others, and believe that a smile and a kind word will create a ripple effect that can change lives.
We are about giving generously for the benefit of our community and our world. We are about welcoming people into our stores as we would welcome them into our home, with warmth and hospitality.
We are about the effervescent giggles and bubbling laughter of children.
We are about love and shared joy not only for our guests, but also for one another.
We are about elevating people, elevating moods, and elevating a space with the love and care we put into each sweet treat.
We are about learning and growing to create our highest good, so we can meet the highest good in others.
We are about faith in a God who makes all things possible even when those things are beyond what we can conceive.
We love everyone, everywhere, every time, regardless of their faith feelings towards the God of our understanding.
We are about wholly savoring every minute of life, from the generous bites to the small crumbs.
We are about grace. We are about grace. We are about grace. We are about granting it as intentionally to ourselves as we are about washing it generously over others.
And yes, we make delicious, baked-from-scratch cupcakes. We do all of this with love.
The Gratitude
Whether you’ve visited one of our stores, found us out and about at a festival or community event, or connected with Melissa at a speaking event, our hearts are filled with gratitude. YOU are the reason we exist. We create beautiful (and delicious) things that bring people joy . . . and we hope any interaction you’ve had with us has been a joyous one! Cheers to many more!
With blessings and gratitude,
Melissa and the Cupcake Ninjas