Kerwin's Cupcakes now open on 2nd floor of Destiny USA.
SYRACUSE -- Central New York is not immune to the cupcake craze. With cooking shows like Cupcake Wars dominating the airwaves, business is booming for local cupcake connoisseur, Kerwin Hughes.
"The craze is definitely helping business. People love cupcakes. You give someone a cupcake and they smile," says Hughes.
Hughes just opened his second store in Destiny USA a week ago after five years of success at his original store in Oneida. As a Native American, he's proud to bring his unique business to the busy mall.
"There's not many native chefs out there. I've been around quite a bit and I don't see too many. I think it's nice we can represent our tribe," says Hughes.
What makes Kerwin's so unique, is you can customize your own cupcake. First you choose a flavor of cupcake, and a frosting which costs $2.25. To add a filling and topping of your choice is an extra 50 cents.
Larissa Furness of Auburn has been to Kerwin's twice during its first week at Destiny USA.
"That is so cool! I've always wanted to go to a place where they make legitimate gourmet cupcakes. We don't have any places around here like that," says Furness.
Hughes is confident his small town business has a big time future at Central New York's largest shopping destination.
"We can hang here with the big boys even though we're a local mom and pop. We're bringing something different to Central New York," says Hughes.
