There are some places in a city that just become part of its story.

Not because they’re the biggest.

But because they show up, day after day, year after year.

That’s Queen City Cupcakes.

When Chelsea joined me on Beyond the Plate with Carol Podcast, this wasn’t just a conversation about baking. It was about building something from scratch, growing with a city, and what it really takes to keep a small business going.

Because sometimes the places that seem the smallest on the outside end up making the biggest impact.

If you’ve spent any time in downtown Manchester, chances are you know Queen City Cupcakes.

You’ve stopped in.

You’ve ordered for an event.

Or you’ve caught that incredible smell drifting through the Beacon and wondered what was going on upstairs.

Because on Beyond the Plate with Carol Podcast, what really stood out to me is that Chelsea isn’t just running a cupcake shop.

She’s part of the rhythm of the city.

What I love about Chelsea’s story is that it wasn’t planned.

Not even close.

She went to school for criminal justice.

Thought she might go into investigations.

Ended up working in insurance.

And then one day, after visiting a cupcake shop with friends, she went home and said she was going to open one herself.

And that was it.

Those are my favorite kinds of stories.

Because sometimes the thing you’re meant to do is not the thing you thought you were going to do.

What makes Queen City Cupcakes so special is how personal it is.

Her mom.

Her sister.

Her husband.

Everyone plays a role.

And if you’ve been in the shop, you can feel that immediately.

There’s always something happening.

Something being created.

Something being built.

It’s not just a store.

It’s a working, living space filled with energy.

One of the things that really impressed me was how much trial and error went into the product.

Chelsea wasn’t a trained baker.

So she tested.

And tested.

And tested again.

Until she got it right.

Because the goal wasn’t just to make cupcakes.

It was to make cupcakes people would come back for.

Moist cake.

Frosting that works at room temperature.

A product that holds up in a real retail environment.

That kind of attention to detail matters more than people realize.

We had to talk flavors.

Because that’s part of the fun.

What started with about nine flavors grew to over 100 at one point.

Now it’s more curated.

But the classics?

They still matter.

Vanilla bean.

Chocolate.

Peanut butter.

If those aren’t there, people notice.

And I love that.

Because it’s such a reminder that no matter how creative you get, people always come back to what they know and love.

Chelsea also shared one of the most creative things she’s ever done.

Her appearance on Sugar Showdown.

And the ingredient?

Mayonnaise.

Instead of hiding it, she leaned all the way in.

Used it in the filling.

The frosting.

Even the topping.

And they won.

That kind of creativity takes confidence.

And it shows how willing she is to push boundaries while still staying true to what she does.

This part of the conversation really stayed with me.

Chelsea loves Manchester.

She loves Elm Street.

She loves being part of the city.

But she was also honest.

Things have changed.

Before COVID, there was more foot traffic.

More people walking around during the day.

More energy in the streets.

Now, some days feel quieter.

And that matters.

Because small businesses don’t just need orders.

They need people walking through the door.

One of the ways Queen City Cupcakes has stayed strong is by adapting.

Catering has become a huge part of the business.

Weddings.

Showers.

Corporate events.

Celebrations of every kind.

And that’s something I see across so many successful businesses.

They evolve.

They adjust.

They find new ways to stay connected to their customers.

At the end of the day, this isn’t just about cupcakes.

It’s about moments.

Birthdays.

Weddings.

Baby showers.

Anniversaries.

All the milestones that people come back for again and again.

And that’s what Chelsea has built.

A place that people return to throughout their lives.

This episode of Beyond the Plate with Carol Podcast reminded me of something simple but important.

Small businesses matter.

The ones that show up every day.

The ones that grow with a city.

The ones that keep going, even when things change.

Queen City Cupcakes is one of those places.

And Chelsea is one of those people.

So if you haven’t been in lately, take this as your sign.

Go.

Walk through the door.

Say hello.

And yes, get the cupcake.

Watch and listen to my full conversation with Chelsea and hear the story behind one of Manchester’s sweetest small businesses.

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ABOUT CAROL ERICKSON

Carol Erickson has owned Red Arrow Diner since 1987 -- four locations across New Hampshire, open 24/7. She started Beyond the Plate to tell the real stories behind the people who make New England's food and hospitality scene what it is. Not just what's on the menu. What's behind it.

Red Arrow Diner: redarrowdiner.com  |  @redarrow24diner