Cupcake wars heating up in Haverhill

By Brian Messenger
bmessenger@eagletribune.com

June 12, 2009 12:05 am

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A battle of the bakeries is shaping up in downtown Haverhill.

The Cupcake Boutique and Bakery will open for the first time tomorrow at 15 Washington St., just down the road from the Enchanted Bake Shoppe at 108 Washington St.

Each business specializes in homemade cupcakes.

Cupcake Boutique owner Sharon Breighner is moving her business from downtown Andover. Breighner said she will continue selling baked goods inside the Andover Spa on Elm Street, but will use the 2,000-square-foot space on Washington Street in Haverhill as her main location.

Breighner started The Cupcake Boutique in 2007 on Post Office Avenue in Andover.

The Enchanted Bake Shoppe also opened two years ago, and co-owner Kristen Eastman said her business has since developed a loyal customer base in Haverhill.

Eastman said The Enchanted Bake Shoppe will open a second, undisclosed location just outside the Merrimack Valley in July.

Breighner said she was attracted to Haverhill by its busy downtown with many restaurants.

"They have welcomed me with open arms," said Breighner. "I think Haverhill is really an up-and-coming city."

In addition to baked goods, Breighner said she will host birthday and cooking parties at her new location.

Breighner said a grand opening party is tentatively scheduled on June 25.

Breighner will step down as president of the Andover Business Center Association June 25, when the downtown business group elects new members to its executive board.

Breighner said she is stepping down because she is relocating her business to Haverhill.

"I have so much on my plate and I feel it's time for someone else to take it over," said Breighner.

Breighner said the only nominee to replace her so far is Betsy Powers, who served as the association's president from 2005 to 2007.

Powers is the former owner of Culinary Concepts in downtown Andover. She closed the store in January after six years on Park Street.

Powers now works at General Goods on Main Street and at First Health of Andover in Dundee Park.

Powers said members of the business association must rebound from the difficult economy and the effects of the ongoing construction on Main Street to redesign Route 28.

"I just think we need to rally and get back on the same page," said Powers.