Why Three Dollar Cupcakes Work

It’s exciting to see First Street in Snohomish vibrant again. The pundits and politicos can debate the GDP and recovery all they want, but now that it’s happening on Snohomish’s “main street” – well, it means it’s really happening. Pam and I took our minions out a few days ago on a rainy December errand run that was going to include a stop for something special – a trip to newly opened Bite Me Cupcakes.

They’ve taken over the old Dream Dinner’s place (and I can’t remember what it was before that), and they’ve really made it special. Pink plaid and white everywhere. Immaculately clean. And $3 cupcakes.

$3 cupcakes?! And they’re worth it, and the surroundings make you feel worth it too. From the moment you enter the door, to the moment you exit with a few more calories to burn, it’s a premium experience. You choose your cupcake from the glass display case, and the smiling Dad (it’s a family business) pulls out a little square plate for you, then puts a little colorful napkin, and then your cupcake. Not really a huge cupcake, but with enough premium icing to deeply satisfy the sweetest of sweetooths. Cute little square plates. Friendliness and presentation matters when you’re making a premium experience.

And the place was full. Literally. It works.

A premium experience, from start to finish. With WalMart coming to neighboring Monroe, there is a lesson here. That there is a place for the premium experience alongside the less expensive, doughnuts-in-a-bag experience. That when it comes to your unique selling position, providing your customers a premium experience when working with your business is a viable option. Imagine that – does working with your business make your customers feel special?

Oh, and Bite Me? – if you’re reading this? We’d love to design a beautiful website for you. It would be… sweet J