Claire Browning had to withdraw from college during the spring semester of her senior year. A rollerblading accident caused her to fracture her back, and she said the time off that followed left her restless.
Surrounded by business-savvy people, Claire, 24, found herself inspired and called her twin sister, Stephanie, in the middle of class.
“Do you want to start a bakery?” Claire, co-owner of Gainesville-based Sarkara Sweets, asked. Stephanie agreed, and the pair of UF graduates, who had always loved baking, got started right away.
“I’m glad we did,” Claire said.
After closing their former business, Yum Cupcakery, in November after about seven months of business, the two sisters decided to revamp their cupcake shop, renaming it Sarkara Sweets and filling it with vegan-friendly fare.
They made the move downtown to 201 SW Second Ave. and changed the name to make their business a more comfortable environment for themselves and for their customers.
Claire said the transition was rough, but ever since the move customers have referred to the new location as their “cupcake lounge.”
“Hopefully it’s a slightly more enjoyable atmosphere to stay and enjoy our treats,” Claire said.
When it came time for a name change, Stephanie said the pair wanted something more identifiable with baking but original enough to expand nationally and stand out from other chains.
Sarkara, a Sanskrit word, describes a natural sugar and taste, which Stephanie said fit perfectly with the business’s image and organic efforts.
Sarkara Sweets offers 21 kinds of ready-made cupcakes for $3 each. Guests can pay an extra 50 cents to customize their cupcakes with the shop’s frosting and 40 toppings. All ingredients are vegan, meaning no included animal products.
Claire said she and her sister wanted the business to be a place where diet restrictions wouldn’t interfere with people’s cravings and preferences.
“We find it depends on the customer’s mood or personality type,” Claire said. “We don’t want to alienate anyone, especially since our generation is very much into choice.”
Sarkara Sweets also builds mutual support with Gainesville businesses by including them in their inventory and reaching out for their ingredients.
These connections have helped to sustain local businesses and markets, Stephanie said, all the while allowing Sarkara Sweets to expand its own flavor and product possibilities.
The pair reached out to Gainesville Sweets for caramels, and this month they will sell sodas provided by E&K Floatz, both of which are local providers.
With another tentative location in the works, Stephanie said she’s working to collaborate with other places.
“We put all this work and effort into something that we hope they feel safe and happy eating,” Browning said. “There’s a high level of caring about the product and the customer.”
The shop was chosen to host the Victoria’s Secret PINK Collegiate Showdown today from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., where UF currently is ranked sixth out of 59 universities competing to win a free concert.
Students are welcome to pass by the shop, cast votes and receive free samples of Victoria’s Secret products and complimentary pink champagne cupcakes.
