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When asked what led them to careers as bakers, both Tamara Mayes and Cindel Boles, owners of Sassy Cakes Bakery in Locust, recalled learning the trade at their respective mothers’ sides.

“Both our moms did cakes for people from home,” Mayes said.

“We only lived about five minutes apart, so they would share cake pans and recipes,” Boles added.

The two attended elementary school at Endy, went on to high school at West Stanly, and both attended Johnson and Wales University in Charlotte, earning associate degrees in culinary arts. Boles also earned a bachelor’s degree in food service management.

“While we were growing up, Cindel was really into sports, and I was more into music and band,” Mayes recalled. “But we both had a passion for food, and that’s what led us down similar paths.”

Those paths crossed in 2017, when Boles was hired. Mayes was already on staff and in a business partnership with the bakery’s previous owner.

“She (original owner) decided to leave, so I was able to buy her out,” said Mayes. “And in 2020, Cindel became an equal partner in the business,” a development both say is evidence of divine destiny.

“It’s due to God’s planning that our paths came back together when they did,” said Mayes.

The two bakers have built a loyal following, primarily on the quality of their custom cakes.

“We are best known for our cakes,” Boles said, “but we do create and offer other treats such as cookies, pies, cupcakes, pastries and cheesecake.”

“Our cheesecake is featured in three local restaurants – The Local Room, The Brew Room, and Emricci Pizzeria,” added Mayes.

Loyalty is built not only through excellent products, but also through outstanding customer service, and the numerous clients who keep coming back attest to the bakery’s stellar performance in that category.

“Learning what the customer wants, and listening to them is key,” said Mayes.

“And the ‘wow factor’ when we see a child’s eyes light up upon seeing their birthday cake, is really satisfying for us,” added Boles.

In addition to supporting other Locust businesses, the “Sassy Girls” regularly team up with Icing Smiles, a Maryland-based nationwide nonprofit organization that delivers dream cakes at no charge to youngsters impacted by critical illness.

“We provide super-fancy tier cakes for Icing Smiles a couple times a year,” the two noted.

Mayes summarized the bakery’s mission in a nutshell.

“We want to give the customer a quality product, and we will work with them to make it fit into their budget,” she said.

“After all,” added Boles, “everybody deserves a birthday cake.”

Sassy Cakes Bakery
245 Town Center Drive
Locust, NC 28097
www.sassycakesnc.com

Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am to 2:30 pm
Closed Sunday and Monday