Back to business: Cinderella Cakes reinvents itself to stay afloat during pandemic

COSTA MESA, Calif. - The pastry professionals at Cinderella Cakes, a small business that specializes in special events, are facing difficulties and are working to reinvent themselves as they try to reopen.

Cinderella Cakes illustrates some of the struggles small businesses face amid the pandemic.

As the pandemic struck, they were hit with 50 wedding cake cancellations as large gatherings were discouraged by health officials. 

In addition, “it’s been a struggle to get our employees back,” said Cinderella Cakes Owner Timorie Budge.

“It’s a little difficult because we all understand the need to support your family but even after qualifying for a PPP loan, we can’t get our full staff to return and some of them are flat out telling us they don’t want to come back to work… that’s frustrating for us that are here working, trying to make the business [operate].” Budge said. “The business model has changed, so even being able to use the money toward our payroll is difficult because they’re only giving us an 8-week span.”

Now, the shop “where flour and sugar become art,” has had to become innovative and create works they hadn’t done before, such as graduation cakes.

For more information or to order some tasty treats, visit the Cinderella Cakes website. 

Get breaking news alerts in the FOX 11 News app. Download for iOS or Android.