A duo of local ladies is turning their love for food and service into a sweet cupcake boutique.

Shirley Sembritzky and ShaRon Aaron have been friends for 35 years.  With Aaron’s expertise in floral design and Sembritzky’s experience with food there seemed to be only one perfect outlet:  Treat cupcake store.

“We had been driving across town to pick up cupcakes,” Sembritzky said.  “There wasn’t anything on this side of town.  We decided there was something missing in the area.   Having been in the food business all my life I felt like we could do it.  We thought we had a little flair that we could add to the business.  We wanted a sophisticated cupcake that has a look a little different than the average cupcake shop.”

Different is an understatement.  The décor of the boutique is complete with fresh flowers and a sophisticated display of perfectly-placed cupcakes.  The shop features chic light fixtures and an outdoor seating area.  The menu is stenciled in cursive describing the unique array of specialty cupcakes ranging from carrot cake to red velvet and everything in between.

“We do all cupcakes, all the time,” she said.  “From week to week the popularity changes so we don’t know which flavor everyone will like because it changes every week.”

Although the women say the idea of owning a cupcake business sounds like a lot of fun, Sembritzky said starting the enterprise has been a lot of work along the way.

“We have traveled everywhere and looked at the best of the best,” she said.  “We knew what we wanted and made sure we didn’t miss anything.  Fifteen pounds later, we thought we had a treasure in this business.  When we opened our place we had spent six months perfecting our cupcakes.  They look and taste great and I think that sets us apart from others.  We worked on our recipes for a year before we opened.  We have combined several family recipes that we worked and reworked even after our opening.”

With over eighty years of combined experience, the duo knew what they needed to make the perfect cupcake.

“My background is food and beverage,” Sembritzky said.  “We are as close to organic as we can get.  We use the best products money can buy.  We thought if we used the best ingredients, we would have the best products and we buy all fruits locally.  I felt like I knew what I was doing.  I have always loved to do events and with 40 years of experience, I think I just have a feel for it.  And we have just gotten rave reviews.”

Despite a troubled economy, Sembritzky said they haven’t been affected.

“We have been very fortunate that in this economy we have stayed so busy,” she said.  “We have exceeded all of our expectations.”

In addition to cupcakes, Treat! has created its own line of dog treats.

“We have also created Pup Cakes for our four-legged friends,” she said.  “There is a water dish outside the door of the shop.  The dogs are always thirsty after their pup cakes.  The dogs sit out on our patio while the parents and kids are having their treat and it has been a big hit.”

For more information on Treat! visit the website at www.treat-cupcakes.com or stop by the shop located at 126 Vintage Park Blvd., Suite Q.