April 19, 2024

Upper Crust to close retail store Feb. 27

By KELSEY HAUGEN

Cynthia Wolf and Christy Nielsen-Whited of Upper Crust Culinary Creations are closing their retail store, located at 201 W. Adams St. in Creston, on Feb. 27. After that, Wolf and Nielsen-Whited will continue the Upper Crust business from home and will sell a few baked goods at Adams Street Espresso, 213 W. Adams St. (CNA photo)

The Upper Crust Culinary Creations retail store will close its doors Feb. 27.

However, it's not the end of Upper Crust. Owners Cynthia Wolf and Christy Nielsen-Whited will continue the business by filling orders and baking from home and Adams Street Espresso, where some Upper Crust treats will be available for purchase.

Wolf and Nielsen-Whited have been in the retail space, located at 201 W. Adams St., for five years.

"We want to focus more on special orders," Wolf said. "We will be essentially baking from home. We love this spot ... and we're not losing money by any means; we had a profit every year. But we just decided we should probably get out while we're on top of things."

Dennis and Connie Purdum, who own the building Upper Crust is currently in, do not yet know who will rent the space next.

More than anything else, the decision to work mostly from home was because of life changes for both Wolf and Nielsen-Whited.

"We want to get more involved in the community," Wolf said. "Christy, just two weeks ago, accepted the councilman at-large position for the city. We're going to be involved with RAGBRAI, and we just want some time to do more of that stuff and spend more time with our families."

Upper Crust will continue taking orders for baked goods like cakes, pies, cookies and dinner rolls. Customers can visit the Upper Crust Facebook page, email uppercrustculinary@gmail.com or call 641-278-1043 to place orders.

Single servings of a few baked goods will be sold at Adams Street Espresso by the end of February.

"We'll have, to start with, our donut holes, which everybody knows about, and our chocolate-chip Butterfinger cookie, which is one of our top sellers," Wolf said. "We'll do some baking there, and we have more ideas in the works for working together with them."

Upper Crust will no longer do catering, but Wolf said they will still fill orders for parties and holidays. For frozen meals, she said it depends what the need is. For now, Upper Crust will continue making Paleo meals for CrossFit.

"If you've placed an order with us, we will fill it, and for any future orders, we'll definitely do our best," Nielsen-Whited said.

Anyone wondering what Upper Crust is doing around holidays will need to check social media or call.

"What we're going to miss is the people coming in (to the store)," Wolf said. "We love when people come in, have a cup of coffee and éclair and just sit and chat. It's been a great five years, but it's time to move on and take the next step."