The challenge posed by special birthday requests from those eccentric uncles and imaginative young children just became a little easier in Clarkston.
Lisa’s Confection Connection, which opened last April, offers custom-made cookie bouquets and cakes to personalize a holiday for nearly any request.
‘The bouquets are a good alternative to flowers because they can be custom made. People bring in a theme or hobby and I can duplicate them,? said owner Lisa Smigelski.
The idea for the cookie bouquet came while putting together a birthday treat for her son Garrett to take to school. With Easter being close to his birthday, Smigelski cut cookies in the shape of eggs, frosted on student names and placed them on a stick. After receiving positive feedback, Smigelski did some internet research to further explore the idea.
‘I’ve always been into baking. The cookies came last year and it’s just such a neat thing. The possibilities are endless with the cookies,? said Smigelski.
One of the more unique requests Smigelski recalls was a cookie bouquet with a Harley Davidson theme. She also takes pride in having produced a 50-cookie bouquet for a wedding anniversary where guests took home a cookie to commemorate the event.
Bouquets consist of 3, 5 and 7 or a custom number of sugar cookies in a terra cotta pot with balloons.
Interest in baking started early for Smigelski, who took a cake decorating class in eighth grade and has spent most of her working experience in the restaurant industry before opening her store. Part of that time, she worked decorating Machus desserts, laying a firm foundation for her new store.
Smigelski says the response to the bouquets and custom cakes has been wonderful.
‘They say it’s so cool and neat. The best part of the job is people’s reaction. When they say ‘It’s perfect,? that’s worth a million bucks,? said Smigelski.
In the future, Smigelski hopes people will be able to place orders on-line and have them shipped, but realizes that may take some time.
Besides cookie bouquets, the store offers wedding cakes, all occasion cakes, homemade cinnamon rolls, Machus desserts and party favors.
Currently, Lisa’s Confection Connection, located at 6 E. Church Street, is open Tues. through Fri. 9 a.m.? 5 p.m. and Sat. 9 a.m. ? 3 p.m. Customers wishing to place orders during nonbusiness hours can call 248-730-3519 or e-mail at lisasconfectionconnection@comcast.net. More information can be found at lisasconfectionconnection.com.