Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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FEBRUARY 14-20, 2018 UCW 25 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Hope Mills News & Views When people pass by Marci's Cakes and Bakes on Trade Street in Hope Mills, owner Marci Mang fears many of them jump to an incorrect conclusion. "A bakery experience is something everyone should be able to enjoy and not be afraid that this is going to be too expen- sive to take my kid there,'' she said. "We have items that start at just $1.'' From the most ornate wedding and special occasion cakes to cup- cakes, cake pops and even healthy snacks, Mang of- fers the full gourmet pas- try experience and even a place just to come and sip blended drinks, chat with friends or read. Mang, a military spouse who has lived in the Hope Mills area for 20 years, took an interest in baking when she enrolled in classes through Morale Welfare Recreation to learn about making birthday cakes for her children. at turned into work at a bakery, then making cakes on her own and, finally, opening the business at Marci's some three years ago. "I love making special occasion cakes for my clients,'' she said. "I love being part of their memories and their events. We are helping to create the memories.'' But Marci's Cakes and Bakes isn't just about people coming in for special orders and walking out the door. She also wel- comes customers who come to the store to spend some time there. "We have coffee, tea and frappes,'' Mang said. "We do cold cappuccinos and blended drinks.'' ere is seating inside the business, and Wi-Fi is available. "We have a Bible study that meets here a couple of days a week,'' she said. "We have a few realtors and photographers that meet here with clients. We encourage them to come in, sit down, bring your book and hang out.'' All the visitors to the shop will find a variety of confectionary delights to tempt them. "We bake every day and try to change our menu every week,'' Mang said. "We always try to have a few gourmet cupcakes and unique brownies. I always try to have at least one pound cake and a cheesecake – cakes that everyone knows and loves – as well as cookies and bar desserts.'' People who are health-conscious aren't left out. Mang includes an offering of what she calls power balls that feature ingredients like chia seed, flax seed, raw honey, natural peanut butter and un- sweetened coconut. "We try to do something for everyone,'' she said. "We have specials every day of the week.'' Mang said she's even willing to attempt recipes that faithful customers email to her at marcimang@gmail.com. "We're constantly trying new recipes and definite- ly respecting our customers' requests,'' she said. As for special orders like wedding and other cakes and large orders of cupcakes, Mang shoots for a 72-hour turnaround time. Prices begin at $24 for an 8-inch round cake and $28 for a sheet cake. How much more expensive the cake can be depends on the specific requests of the customer, but Mang stressed prices are flexible. "If somebody comes to me and wants a quote on a cake, I'll say let's talk about things on it that are most important to you,'' she said. "en we can come up with some other ideas to cut down on what else I have.'' For further information on the shop and what it has to offer, visit the Facebook page at Marci's Cakes and Bakes. In addition to email, you can call Mang at the shop at 910-425-6377. Meetings • Feb. 14 – Historic Preservation Commission at 5 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center • Feb. 19 – Mayor's Youth Leadership Committee at 6:30 p.m., Town Hall • Feb. 19 – Board of commissioners at 7 p.m., Town Hall • Feb. 20 – Lake Advisory Committee at 6 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center • Feb. 22 – Veterans Committee at 7 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center • Feb. 26 – Parks and Recreation Committee at 6:30 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center • Feb. 26 – Appearance Committee at 7 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center Activities at Hope Mills Parks and Recreation: 5770 Rockfish Rd. • Hope Mills Youth baseball and indoor soccer registration is open through Feb. 28 and ends at 4:30 p.m. daily. Baseball ages 5-14, instructional soccer ages 5-8, indoor soccer ages 7-12. Eligibility cut-off date for baseball and indoor soc- cer is May 1. Proof of address and birth certificate are required to register. Call 910-426-4105 for more information. Promote yourself To have your business, organization or event included in this section, email us: hopemills@upandcomingweekly.com. EVENTS Marci's Cakes and Bakes by EARL VAUGHAN JR. SMALL-BUSINESS PROFILE The bakery has items starting at $1.