On Monday November 25, 2024 Cupcake Royale closed its final location in the Madrona neighborhood on east Pike street.

Opening in 2003, founder Jody Hall hoped to do something unique with coffee shops. “On a trip to New York, she went to Magnolia Bakery and had a cupcake, and she was like, that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to bring cupcakes to Seattle,” chief cupcake officer at Cupcake Royale, Michelle Clair said.

“She was actually a groundbreaker in third wave coffee, so smaller coffee shops, and this spot here in Madrona, Cafe Verte, was the very first one,” Clair continued.

With the rising popularity in cupcakes, which Clair credits to Martha Stewart, Cupcake Royale grew as a coffee shop staple, opening additional locations in Ballard, Downtown, Burien, and West Seattle.

However, like all businesses, the company struggled in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The higher cost of living meant that their customer base were cutting back on indulgences, including cupcakes. “It’s just become too much for a small company like ours,” Clair said. Cupcake Royale was forced to change their business to fit the demand, which for them, meant closing shop. “It’s very poetic that our first shop is our last shop we sold,” Clair said. 

Fortunately, the company will still be selling cupcakes, only in the form of pickup locations and a small cupcake party shop.

“It’s called Dance Party, it’s at 1102 east Pike, and you can go in and get the same great cupcakes [and] you can get party supplies,” Clair said. “It’s become a great challenge that we are going to overcome,” Clair said.  While their business model is changing, Cupcake Royale will “still be here for all of the parties and celebrations and special events,” Clair said. “We don’t want to go away.”