New brick-and-mortar just the icing on the cake for Libbie-Grove bakery owner - RichmondBizSense

Cameo Cakery and Cafe plans to open at 306 Libbie Ave. early next year. (Jack Jacobs photo)

Armed with an icing recipe that she thinks is a showstopper, Christina Miller is diving full-on into a career change and looking to tap into the West End’s sweet tooth.

Miller’s new Cameo Cakery and Café recently inked a lease at 306 Libbie Ave. in the Libbie-Grove corridor. She’ll look to open early next year in what was previously the home of Boston-based retailer Sara Campbell.

The upcoming 2,100-square-foot brick-and-mortar location marks a new stage in Miller’s cake business, which had been a side gig until recently.

“I hit a wall in my nursing career and decided to make the shift,” she said.

She has been baking and decorating cakes professionally on a part-time basis for seven years after she perfected the buttermilk frosting recipe she used in her children’s birthday cakes in the years prior.

“Over the years, I tweaked my frosting recipe to make it as good as Ukrops, which I considered to be the gold standard for cakes,” she said.

Miller said the Libbie-Grove area is a good bet for a bake shop and cafe, especially with the exit of Starbucks, which vacated its shop at the corner of Libbie and Grove earlier this year.

“I just think it’s a great area and the people in that area will really take to a concept like this,” she said. “Once I heard Starbucks had left, I thought it was perfect.”

Miller had previously called her part-time baking company ButterSweets, making custom cakes and cupcakes. The new brand, Cameo, is named after the style of jewelry that features carved and engraved objects and gems.

Cameo will be able to seat about 30 people indoors and another 50 people on its patio. The business plans to open with seven to 15 employees.

Reilly Marchant of Thalhimer handled Cameo’s lease on behalf of the landlord.

Cameo isn’t the only new cafe to jump into the neighborhood. Charlottesville-based Grit Coffee opened a Richmond outpost at 409 Libbie Ave. in September. Stella’s Grocery plans to open a new location in the former Starbucks.

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