How Abby Jimenez Turned a Maple Grove Bakery Into a Global Destination
Over the last seven years, Abby Jimenez, the owner of the renowned Nadia Cakes cupcake shop in Maple Grove, has pulled off a rare double feat: maintaining an award-winning bakery while becoming one of the most celebrated romance authors in the country.
On March 24, she released her seventh novel, “The Night We Met,” to considerable fanfare.
“Her fans are such amazing people, and they support us so well,” said Maria Kowalzek, assistant manager of Nadia Cakes.
Most cupcake shops aren’t in the business of bookselling. But when the author owns that cupcake shop, it’s a different story.
Nadia Cakes not only sells the books, the bakery turns each book release into a full sensory experience, featuring a custom cupcake designed to mirror the novel’s cover along with flavors inspired by the plot.
It translates into big business.
Nadia Cakes will sell “The Night We Met” cupcakes through Aug. 31.
Fans Crossing State Lines
The book fanfare translates into big business.
“This has become a travel destination,” said Kowalzek. “So, people are traveling to Minnesota and putting Nadia Cakes on their bucket list of places to come. And that is, they’re buying the books, they’re buying the cupcakes. It’s really exciting. We sell through her books, weekly.”
The “Jimenez Effect” is real. Fans like Mandi Ressler recently traveled to Maple Grove all the way from Detroit, specifically timing her trip to coincide with the book launch.
“I’m flying home soon and I just wanted to stop in and get a book and a cupcake before I go to the airport,” Ressler said.
This level of dedication is fueled by Jimenez’s massive mainstream success. From appearances on “Good Morning America” to endorsements from popular authors like James Patterson, Jimenez has reached a level of stardom that few authors achieve.
The Night We Met is the seventh book by Abby Jimenez, the owner of Nadia Cakes.
What’s next?
Three of Jimenez’s titles – “Part of Your World,” “Just for Summer” and “Yours Truly” — are on their way to becoming films or TV shows, so the momentum shows no signs of slowing down.
“Every year gets bigger and bigger,” said Kowalzek. “It gets more and more exciting.”
For fans of romance and sugar alike, the success of Nadia Cakes is a reminder that in Maple Grove, business is always sweet.
If you’d like to get your hands on the special “The Night We Met” cupcakes, Nadia Cakes will sell them through Aug. 31.
Related: The Friend Zone – Cupcake Shop Owner Pens Romance Novel
