CutiePie Cupcakes & Co Espresso Coffee Bar

Even on a cold, grey fall day, CutiePie Cupcakes & Co. is a ray of sunshine. The sugary smell wafting through the small, bright shop is enough to lift even the gloomiest mood. Here, Melanie Abdilla gives Spadina and its denizens their sugar rush — whether they’re expecting it or not.

“It comes with a free mini cupcake — which one would you like?” Melanie asks a customer, one of the many who pop into the shop in search of a quick hit of coffee from the espresso bar. The customer contemplates before selecting a matcha coconut cupcake, the most popular flavour of the moment. “Why not?” he says, and Melanie’s smile widens.

CutiePie started in 2009 as a catering company and currently boasts an online store well-known for custom orders of cupcakes. CutiePie’s baking location moved several times over the years, most recently operating from the basement kitchen of a nightclub. The dream of a brick-and-mortar shop was one that Melanie had for a few years, but finding the right space took time.

It wasn’t until earlier in 2016 that Melanie got a sign. The top half of the old brick home where CutiePie is now located is plastered with graffiti — most prominently, MALNE. “I was like, are you kidding me? It’s my name!” says Melanie. Even without the correct spelling, it was serendipitous enough to get the ball rolling.