The Flying Cupcake at 5617 N. Illinois Street first fired up their oven in October of 2007. Now in the middle of their first summer, business couldn't be better. Though the store is located outside of the Broad Ripple area it does have quite the confection connection. The Flying Cupcake's owner Kate Bova also owns and operates Girly Chic Boutique in Broad Ripple at 841 E. Westfield Boulevard.

The idea for the cupcakery was inspired partially by Kate's love for baking and partially by the success of big city specialty bakeries. While buying merchandise for Girly Chic in New York and other areas Kate and company came across several sweets-specific shops. Kate won't take all the credit and says, "I didn't invent the idea, I just brought it back to Indianapolis," a delight to the dozens of customers who take the cakes each day.

The Flying Cupcake also sells gelato from Gelato DiVinci in Carmel because as an owner of two local businesses Kate believes in buying local (not to mention DiVinci's divine!) Choose from Strawberry, Raspberry, Kiwi, Watermelon, Lemon, Strawberries and Cream, Key Lime Pie, Chocolate, Cookie Dough, and the ever popular Cake Spectacular.

On my day of indulgence I marveled at the menu: Red Velvet Elvis, KooKoo for Coconuts, Pretty in Pink, What's Up Doc?, Pucker Up, and It's Not a HoHo. The menu is constantly changing so call or stop in to find out the flavors of the day. What's the going rate for cupcakes these days? Prices are $2.50 for Regular cupcakes/ $24 per dozen, $3.25 for Jumbo cupcakes and $1.50 for Mini cupcakes (available by pre-order of 2 dozen only.) Special order cupcakes, tiered round cakes and sheet cakes can all be topped with fun fondant designs and classic plastic toppers from ballerinas to "it's a boy" to garden gnomes and tiny toadstools.

The toppers are a small part of what makes the kitchen so kitschy. It's also open air with all of the ingredients, tools of the trade and toppings on display. The entire space has an eclectic style with printed plates and mugs, mismatched shabby-chic furniture and retro bakery fixtures. "I try really hard to keep everything vintage. It speaks to the true era of the cupcake" says Kate. Of course we'd expect nothing less from Broad Ripple's own Girly Chic girl.