Since 2010, Classy Girl Cupcakes (825 N. Jefferson St., 414-270-1877) has been a mainstay in Milwaukee’s Cathedral Square neighborhood with its elevated and inventive takes on cupcakes, cakes, cookies, and other tasty confections. Next month, the city will be a little less sweet because after 15 years in business, Classy Girl Cupcakes will be closing. Its final day of operation will be Tuesday, December 23.
The news was announced on Classy Girl’s social media accounts by owner Erica Elia on Sunday. According to the post, Elia says the decision was brought on by rising costs and general burnout. “I have been running a nonprofit for years, and I’ve kept this bakery open out of sheer will and stubbornness,” Elia says. “I am tired and out of ideas, so it is time for me to move on.”
Though she’s closing the business, Elia gave one of her Classy Girl bakers her blessing to continue using her recipes for a new bakery venture, and she’s offering to connect any of her 2026 wedding clients with the soon-to-be former employee to fulfill their orders. You can read Elia’s full announcement below:
Today was our 15th birthday, and it will be our last. Classy Girl Cupcakes will be open until Tuesday, December 23, 2025, then we will close permanently. I know we will leave a cupcake shaped hole in the heart of this community, as nobody does what we do, the way we do it. It has been the honor of my life to be invited into your lives to share so many special moments.
Doing what we do is expensive. Every time I raise prices due to skyrocketing costs, I hope the business we lose reduces how hard my employees have to work, but it never quite happens. We are so busy, too busy at times, but still we can’t get ahead. I have been running a nonprofit for years, and I’ve kept this bakery open out of sheer will and stubbornness. I am tired and out of ideas, so it is time for me to move on.
To our 2026 wedding clients, please don’t panic, I will be contacting each of you in the coming weeks. And I have a potential solution: Our head baker Rachel has always wanted to open her own business, and now she has the opportunity! Rachel has been baking all of your cakes and cupcakes for years, and she has my blessing to continue baking our recipes. Our managers and head decorator will be going with her. She only has 2 caveats on her new venture- it can’t be called “Classy Girl Cupcakes”, and it can’t be in our current space. Because I want it to be hers, and I don’t want anyone to think it’s mine. She deserves autonomy in fulfilling her own dreams, to start small and build it her way. Please support her once she opens.
Rachel is looking for commercial space to rent, preferably downtown Milwaukee, east side to Shorewood. She has a realtor helping her look, but if anyone knows of off market spaces, please DM us! Her goal is to open by spring so she can fulfill the wedding orders, though of course those clients have the option to cancel if they prefer. I am so grateful for all of your support over the years, and I hope you will stop in or place one last order in the next month. We would love to see you! And then your super easy New Year’s resolution can be “no cupcakes til Rachel opens her bakery.”
Thank you from the bottom of my heart,
Erica Elia
You heard Erica. If you want one last taste of Classy Girl Cupcakes (at least until Rachel opens her venture), stop in by December 23.
