DETROIT — Downtown Detroit will be a little sweeter this month, as Just Baked joins the growing number of companies calling the city home. The specialty cupcake shop and bakery announced it will move into the Dime Building, owned by Rock Ventures LLC, the umbrella entity formed to provide operational coordination, guidance, and integration of Dan Gilbert’s portfolio of companies, investments and real estate.
Just Baked expects to open its first-floor doors in the Dime Building, 719 Griswold, by the end of February. Rock Ventures purchased the Dime in August 2011. Built in 1912 and designed by world famous architect Daniel Burnham, the building features more than 350,000 square feet of office space across 23 floors. It underwent an extensive redevelopment in 2002 and is home to Ameriprise and several other companies.
“It has always been a goal of mine to open a Just Baked in downtown Detroit,” said Pam Turkin, founder and owner of Just Baked. “We feel it is the perfect time to join the renaissance of the city that I grew up in. I look forward to serving all of the devoted companies and residents that call Detroit home.”
The lease was brokered by Bedrock Real Estate Services LLC, Rock Ventures’ full service property management firm, specializing in purchasing, leasing, financing, developing and managing of commercial space.
In one year’s time, Rock Ventures has acquired nine buildings (2.1 million square feet) in downtown Detroit, and is in the process of leasing space to businesses who want to impact Detroit’s future.
“We are happy to have Just Baked join us downtown and help continue the momentum we’ve gained since moving our Family of Companies to the city,” said Matt Cullen, CEO of Rock Ventures. “Other businesses are realizing that it is an exciting time to be in the city and are following suit, relocating to vibrant, energetic downtown Detroit.”
Just Baked, with 12 locations throughout Southeastern Michigan, offers more than 65 different flavors of gourmet “jumbo” cupcakes, including Samoa, Grumpy Cake, S’mores, White Chocolate Raspberry and the famous “Fat Elvis” cupcake. The company’s cupcakes are baked fresh daily using only the best ingredients, and it also offers homemade brownies, cookies, munchie mix and specialty cakes for any occasion, created by award-winning cake designer, Melissa Kukulka.
The shop hopes to sell thousands of cupcakes a month out of the new downtown location, and will employ three full-time and a few part-time staff at the store. Hours of operation will be 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday – Friday, and weekends during major events. The store will offer same-day delivery of its cupcakes through a partnership with Suburban Delivery.
