SMITH ISLAND CAKE CO. OPENS IN OUTLETS

OCEAN CITY TODAY/LISA CAPITELLI Original Smith Island Cake Company General Manager Rebecca Carbaugh, center, and employees Jennifer Schworn, left, and Kim Brady display one of the 15 flavors available at the shop, located in the West Ocean City outlets. (May 8, 2009) A steady flow of people went through the door to sample cake and cupcakes freshly made at the new Original Smith Island Cake Company store in the West Ocean City Factory Outlets on Monday, the first day of business.

"We very excited. I'm so happy to finally be open," said general manager Rebecca Carbaugh. "It's a cafe and bakery in one. Our No. 1 rule is to make sure all customers leave with a smile on their face."

In January, Carbaugh joined forces with several families from the Salisbury area to get the business up and running. Since there were no gourmet bakeries in the area and the Smith Island Cake was designated as Maryland's official state dessert in October 2008, they decided to open a "gourmet dessert and coffee cafe." She was asked to run the store.

OCEAN CITY TODAY/LISA CAPITELLI Pamela Tabor frosts a Smith Island Cake on Monday, the first day of business for the company's bakery and cafe located in the West Ocean City outlets. Carbaugh said they took the original Smith Island Cake recipe from Frances Kitching's 1981 cookbook and made it gourmet. Of the 15 different flavored cakes available, seven were created by pastry artist Abby Wulff using her grandmother's recipes. Test cakes started being made in February in local restaurant kitchens, Carbaugh said.

"It's such a unique cake. It's known as 'Frosting with the Cake' because there's more frosting than cake," Carbaugh added. "Its rich, fresh icing that reminds me of something your grandma would make for you. It's nice for people who want that homestyle cake but who don't have time to bake."

Flavors include As American As Apple Pie, Banana Nut, Carrot Cake, Chocolate Cheesecake, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Coffee Lovers, Devil's Food with Cream Cheese, Double Chocolate Fantasy, "Electric" Red Velvet, Mango/Passion Fruit Fantasy, Pumpkin, Raspberry Truffle, Strawberry & Cream, Very Berry, and of course, the original recipe.

Pamela Tabor and Lorena Montebrock were in the shop's kitchen on Monday along with a handful of other women preparing the cakes that contain between six and 12 layers. Both said they love their job.

"You're doing something different every day, that's the fun part," Montebrock said. "It makes you feel proud when you see the finished product out there and you see customers happy."

All products are made fresh daily. At the bakery/cafe, patrons can get whole cakes, slices and cupcakes (flavors vary daily), sweet potato biscuits, fresh fruit, salads and vegetables, coffee, tea, cappuccinos, lattes, macchiatos, espresso, mochas, hot chocolate, chai tea, iced tea, iced coffee and fruit smoothies.

Specialized gift baskets are available. They all come with a cake. At this time, baskets filled with mugs, note cards and candles are offered for Mother's Day.

A grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at the shop at 3:30 p.m. on May 14. The event will run until 5:30 p.m. with discounted prices, free samples and a cake eating contest. The festivities continue at the West Ocean City Greene Turtle on Route 611 until 7:30 p.m.

Carbaugh said the company also wants to give back to the community. A percentage of coffee sales will be donated to the Maryland Coastal Bays Program. She also plans to do fundraisers for The Children's House by the Sea, a project of the Believe In Tomorrow National Children's Foundation, and supply cakes for its events.

Store hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Beginning Memorial Day, the shop will remain open until 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Cakes can be ordered in the shop, by calling 410-213-CAKE or online at www.originalsmithislandcakeco.com. There are coupons and special offers on the Web site. At the end of June, shipping of cakes will be available to all states.