Hapa Cupcakes bakes alcohol-infused creations
ANAHEIM — These aren’t your grandmother’s cupcakes.
With alcohol-infused flavors like “Will you remember me tomorrow morning?” “Gonna get lucky tonight” and a business slogan of “Wanna get some?” best friends Hanayo Martin, 25, of Irvine, and Akemi Lee, 27, of Fullerton, didn’t want to be the traditional pink-and-white, cutesy cupcake company.
“We wanted it to be different,” Lee said. “We wanted it to be modern and provocative.”
“And if people are like, ‘Wow,’ that’s what we want,” added Martin.
The two started Hapa Cupcakes in late 2011, selling gourmet cupcakes online to pickup at their commercial kitchen in Anaheim. The two Cal State Fullerton alumnae wanted to make cupcakes sexy.
“We always say we don’t want to be that cutesy mom-and-pop store — we want to be more provocative,” said Martin, who went to Orange Coast College before transferring to Fullerton.
The two, who also have part-time jobs, said business is consistent and they are starting to break into the wedding market. They hope to one day have a brick-and-mortar bakery in Costa Mesa that matches their brand.
But when that will happen is up in the air.
“We want to have a lounge where you can sit down, enjoy your cupcake, enjoy your drink then go on your merry way,” Lee said.
The friends have known each other since they were toddlers and always wanted to be their own bosses.
Martin has the passion for baking, always whipping up cupcakes, cookies, or cupcakes with cookies on top, for every holiday, Lee said.
Eating was a big deal growing up, Martin said. With three brothers, she had to eat fast or the food would be gone.
“If I made it, I got to eat it, and I always wanted to bring stuff for [my girlfriends],” Martin said. “It’s how I share my love.”
Hapa Cupcakes’ name has significant meaning.
Hapa is slang for someone of mixed race, with one of those races being Asian.
Both Martin and Lee’s mothers were born in Japan, and their fathers are white.
“I think with us, it’s kind of something we heard so much growing up and obviously it is who we are,” Lee said. “We were raised from two totally different cultures, and we blended and mixed our families, and of course we also feel we bring that to our cupcakes.”
Twitter: @britneyjbarnes
Hapa Cupcakes
Where: Online ordering only. Pickup times are 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 2 p.m. Sunday at 1210 Jefferson St., Suite Q, Anaheim
Cost: $36 per dozen of alcohol-infused cupcakes or $34 per dozen gourmet cupcakes
Information: https://www.hapacupcakes.com