Pink. That is the first thing that hits you when you walk into downtown Ann Arbor’s newest cake bakery, House of Chimney Cakes. The soft opening for the newest franchise location of the “chimney cake” making small chain at 216 South 4th Avenue happened some time ago, building social media buzz for the grand opening on November 4.
Imagine what an ice cream cone would be like if it was made of cake. That is essentially what House of Chimney Cakes sells.
“I had tried the chimney cake last week – both the soft serve and the OG one, and they are much better than I anticipated and they’re super fun to eat,” Christina Lai, a recent University of Michigan graduate at the grand opening, said.
The House of Chimney Cakes’ about us page describes their specialty as “delightful, crispy cylinder-shaped treats filled with decadent flavors that will leave you craving more. Our mission is to bring the beloved Hungarian chimney cake to the heart of America, transforming this traditional dessert into a mouthwatering masterpiece that everyone can enjoy. With a commitment to using only the finest ingredients and a passion for creating unforgettable experiences, we invite you to indulge in a slice of European charm right here in your neighborhood.”
Owner Amanda Debek greeted well over a hundred grand opening attendees graciously. The Dearborn native’s background in event planning and her family’s food business led her into a nearly two year process to get this location up and running.
“I’ve always wanted to own my own café. I just love the diversity that Ann Arbor has to offer. It’s just such a beautiful community and I was drawn to it,” said Debek. In describing House of Chimney Cakes’ food, “we always compare it to a croissant or a churro. Everyone who tries it says it is way above and beyond, but it is closest to a churro.”
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This new addition to Ann Arbor’s dessert and pastry scene is the fourth location for the chain to open, according to their website, and the second one in Michigan – the being in Dearborn. The other locations are in California and Texas, with future franchises in the works in New Mexico and Texas.
“The Chamber is all about businesses, especially small businesses, and when a new business opens in Washtenaw County, it makes us extremely excited. And this is such a beautiful, beautiful place, with a wonderful family to come to downtown Ann Arbor and take a chance on us, is amazing,” Harriet Hughes, a representative of the A2Y Chamber said of this newest addition to the pro-business non-profit that encourages entrepreneurs across Washtenaw County, as grand opening attendees milled with food around her.
The Ann Arbor location is currently fully staffed, though since 90 percent of her staff are U of M students, Debek expects to hire temporary workers for the holiday season rush. Hours run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday through Wednesday. They are open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Thursday through Saturday.
“We happened to stumble across Chimney Cakes, and we went inside because it was the pink that caught our attention. And we were just floored with the layout, how beautiful it was, and we had the chance to meet the owner and come back for her grand opening, so of course we showed up,” Lakisha Brown said. She was canvassing with the Democratic Party county treasurer candidate Latitia Lamelle Sharp and took up an invitation to take a break from campaigning. “I am not a big pink person … but the layout, the decor, it’s really, really nice.”
Debek is off to a grand start with her new business. The store is right between Literati and the Ann Arbor Running Co., and across is rentable for parties. And in the near future, Debek is planning on offering catering for parties and weddings.
Coffee prices range $2.75 to $3.50. Milkshakes run from $9.98 to $11.98. Cakes range $8.35 up, depending on toppings.
Drew Saunders is a freelance business and environmental journalist who grew up just outside of Ann Arbor. He covers local business developments, embraces his foodie side with reviews restaurants, obsesses over Michigan's environmental state, loves movies, and feels spoiled by the music he gets to review for Ann Arbor!
