ST. CHARLES – The second Illinois location of a cupcake shop franchise opened this month in downtown St. Charles.

Smallcakes: A Cupcakery of St. Charles, opened for business on Sept. 12 at 117 W. Main St., Suite 120, St. Charles, said Tina Wackerlin, who is the St. Charles store franchisee with her husband, Eric.

The store is behind Forever Yogurt and below Szechwan near the southeast corner of Main Street and Second Street (Route 31).

The St. Charles Smallcakes offers 15 signature flavors made every day, and two different daily special flavors every day of the week.

Cookies and brownies also are available, Wackerlin said.

The store in the future plans to sell cupcake milkshakes and treat pops and will have seasonal items such as Christmas cookies, Wackerlin said.

Smallcakes founder Jeff Martin opened the first Smallcakes in July 2009 in Overland Park, Kansas, according to the Smallcakes website.

There are franchises in 17 states and also abroad in Dubai.

Wackerlin discovered Smallcakes through Jill Wackerlin-Watson, a cousin of Wackerlin’s husband who opened the other Illinois Smallcakes in Naperville earlier this year.

Wackerlin said she decided to pursue opening a Smallcakes location because she has been an avid baker since she was a young child.

“I knew how to bake, I just didn’t know the ins and outs of the franchise at the time,” Wackerlin said.

Wackerlin looked at locations on Randall Road and Main Street for her shop, and settled on 117 W. Main St. because it appeared to have the most foot traffic.

That held true on Thursday as a steady stream of customers bought cupcakes.

Angelica Cataldo of Huntley, and Jesse Garner of Aurora, each ate a cupcake from the store on the First Street Plaza.

“Their cupcakes are a lot sweeter and a lot bigger than I’ve ever seen,” Cataldo said. “I was quite satisfied.”

If you go
What: Smallcakes: A Cupcakery of St. Charles ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening
When: 4:30 p.m. Oct. 14
Where: 117 W. Main St., Suite 120, St. Charles
Cost: Free mini-cupcake samples; full-size cupcakes for sale
Information: 630-587-2253 or visit www.facebook.com/pages/Smallcakes-A-Cupcakery-of-St-Charles/456232447847453.