By Avra Sullivan
Occasionally life has a way of taking you in a direction that is perfectly suited and yet totally unexpected. Such is the story behind Bella Luna Cupcakery in Stevensville. Run by mother and daughter team Brittany Boehm and Mary Messick, neither one thought they would ever be running a bake shop as a business. “We are a big Italian family and always have a lot of people at our house, especially for the holidays,” Brittany explains. “We always loved baking and would make baked goods to give as gifts. People loved them so much they started wanting to buy them. We became so busy, that we decided we needed to open a shop.”
In April 2012 the mother-daughter team launched Bella Luna Cupcakery, specializing in a wide variety of fresh homemade cupcakes, pies, cakes, tarts, muffins and more. The smell of something delicious baking is always in the air. Brittany says there is a type of nostalgia that goes with fresh baked food especially cakes and sweets. “Everyone has that one food or special treat that brings back memories. The care that goes into homemade food I think makes people feel like they are home.”
Not to leave out the other meals of the day, Bella Luna also has a lunch menu with Panini sandwiches, generously stuffed wraps and soups. The lunch menu started with a few choices and, thanks to customer demand, has grown and expanded over the last year. “We really listen to what our customers like and want and try to accommodate that,” says Brittany.
Bella Luna also offers custom catering perfect for office parties or house get-togethers with appetizers, hors d’oeuvres, buffets and soups. Want something unique for your wedding, birthday party or shower? Bella Luna has an assortment of cake flavors, fillings and frostings and can help tailor the perfect combination for any event. They also can host a party in their store. “We do a lot of kid’s birthday parties where we let the kids decorate their own cupcakes and cookies. We usually close the shop and they have lots of fun.”
Working together as a team seems to be a key ingredient in Bella Luna’s success. “We really work great together, “says Brittany. “She (her mom) is my best friend, and we are so much alike, we are almost the same person. My mom is my best friend.”
For those of you who fear that a trip to Bella Luna may threaten those New Year’ resolutions, have no fear, they have this covered as well. Mary and Brittany are both fitness instructors at Island Athletic Club in Grasonville and can help you work off any calories you may take in while at their store.
Bella Luna Cupcakery is located at 604 Main Street in Stevensville. You can view their menu and tantalize your taste buds while looking at pictures of their sweets on their website www.bellalunacupcakery.com or on their Facebook page. For special orders or for wedding or special event planning, you can call them at 410-604-0000.