Cupcake Lounge expansion plan at Market includes patio, alcohol

With the weather finally warming up, the Cupcake Lounge is looking to expand its ByWard Market operation to include alcohol and a “sidewalk” patio.

The popular sweet shop already has a liquor licence at its Westboro location but decided that, with the new patio, it would need one in ByWard, too.

The patio becomes a possibility because the Market is closing street parking on ByWard Market Square, turning the spots into patios for the businesses along that street.

With its new liquor licence the Cupcake Lounge is going to serve wine pairings with different cupcake flavours.

“We will have five cupcake flavours and we’ll pair them with red, white and sparkling wine. It’s becoming very popular in our Westboro location,” said Claudia Arizmendi, president and CEO of the Cupcake Lounge.

She said the idea might seem a bit strange to some but “an organic malbec or a popular cab actually goes pretty well with a chocolate, coconut or nut-based cupcake.

“We think that sweets go well with the wine,” Arizmendi said. “A lot of people like to come here and they can drink and have just one glass with one cupcake and it’s fun! They go very well with our cupcake flavours.”

Besides the wine pairings, patrons will also be able to enjoy specialty coffees on the new patio and inside the location.

“We do have some specialty coffees with Grand Marnier, Baileys and Kahlua. Everybody can have whatever type of coffee they want: latte, americano or cappuccino and we put a full shot into the coffees,” Arizmendi said.

Zak’s Diner will also be getting a new outdoor liquor licence for its new patio in the ByWard Market.

Arizmendi hopes to receive her liquor licence in the next three weeks.