HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The Cupcake Ladies is part of the growing food truck scene in Hopkinsville. Since opening, their sweet concept has quickly made them a local favorite.
Owners Cherie and David Rust sat down to talk about the “accidental success” of Cherie’s cupcake sales. “This is something I worked at for years … and it was the one thing I kept going back to because I loved it. I could get up the next day rested and say I want to do it again,” said Cherie.
She learned how to bake after her oldest daughter, Callie, turned 1. Cherie was disappointed in the grocery store birthday cake she purchased, and gave herself the goal of learning to bake. She spent years researching and testing out daily recipes with her three kids. “I’m still caked out to be honest,” said Callie.
The beginnings of a true business started years later as a school project. For a homeschool lesson, Cherie used cupcake sales as a potential business model to teach her three daughters the ins and outs of business. “We all went out selling cupcakes door to door and taking orders,” said Cherie.
What was supposed to be a temporary business for family and friends immediately gained interest in the community. She quickly had to find extra kitchen space and try and keep up with the orders that were piling up. Then came the name, The Cupcake Ladies.
Hopkinsville food truck scene
With a lot of support from her husband David, Cherie achieved the goal of obtaining a trailer to sell cupcakes out of, and adjusted their selling model from deliveries to direct sales. She and David now spend their time baking and juggling the events around Christian County and the surrounding area.
The growing food truck scene in Hopkinsville features it all – barbecue, burgers, tacos, soul food or waffles depending on the day. Especially over the summer, it’s easy to pop to events all over Christian County and find a variety of mobile food options. The Summer Salute was a huge event and food truck hot spot, and Hopkinsville Brewing Company and The Showbox both consistently organize food truck events.
“One of the nice things is getting to know other food truck vendors. You start to build a community with people, and I think that’s been a real advantage. … We are getting to learn from some of the ones that are more seasoned,” said Cherie. “Each community has a different vibe to it, so it’s good to get to know the people and become a part of so many communities. And I just consider it a blessing that they’ve welcomed us into so many places.”
She is visibly so happy to share this experience with her grandchildren now, who clearly love tagging along. Get more information about food truck gatherings and events on the Hoptown Food Truck Facebook page.