The Salted Cupcake brings fresh cupcakes to Grand Rapids daily

Korina Thompson was working at Bonefish Grille and making cupcakes for fun in 2011. After bringing in cupcakes made in her own kitchen, and diners continously asking to purchase her cupcakes, Thompson was inspired to start her own cupcake business instead of selling them every day out of her home.

After graduating from Grand Valley State University with a major in Hospitality, a minor in Business, and a Food Service emphasis, Thompson studied at the Secchia Institute for Culinary Arts for one semester.

"I already knew what I wanted to do. I had a business plan," says Thompson, "So I just went for it.

Thompson opened her first shop in Schoolcraft in 2014 before deciding to move The Salted Cupcake to Grand Rapids in June 2015 to be closer to her family. Thompson chose her business name, The Salted Cupcake, based on her self-proclaimed "addiction" to salted caramel and use of sweet, salty flavors in her cupcakes. She also uses multiple salts to give different salt flavors to each recipe which are made fresh onsite daily. 

"I really do like working here [at The Salted Cupcake]," says Lizzie Rodgers, "It always smells so good!"

Made in small batches of 24 to ensure quality, The Salted Cupcake has 12 flavors of cupcakes available each day. However, with over 80 flavors total, Thompson rotates what is available each day of every week and is constantly creating new recipes.

"That's my favorite part," says Thompson, "coming up with the flavors."

The staff of five let customers help decide what's available for the menu through use of their Facebook page. Customers can also request certain flavors a week in advance that Thompson puts on the menu for that day. The Salted Cupcake caters to many weddings in the summer but is prone to "selling out like crazy," according to Thompson, during the week. When implementing their new pancake cupcake, The Salted Cupcake sold out the first day.

"I think it gave us a boost!" said Thompson who posted a photo of the cupcake on Facebook as is done with each week's menu.

Thompson states her business to be "unique" as The Salted Cupcake not only takes input from its customers and only serves cupcakes, but is also available for walk-ins whereas most cupcakeries are custom-order only.

When talking with an owner of a bakery in the area, Thompson was surprised to find out that not all bakeries make their baked goods from scratch as all of her cupcakes are, including all of the sauces and every cupcake flavor she creates through trial and error. 

"I love creating flavors and how people are always happy when they come in," says Thompson, "You can't be angry in a cupcake shop!"

The Salted Cupcake is located at 2481 32nd Street SE.