When Kelly Kandah walked to her job each morning at ABC News in Manhattan, she found herself gaping at the long lines outside of trendy cupcake shops like Crumbs and Magnolia Bakery.

It wasn't because she was hungry -- Kandah simply has cupcakes in her blood. Baking is a family tradition, and her mom has been baking cakes featuring Grandma Kandah's "famous" frosting recipe for years for family friends.

So, when the 25-year-old Kandah moved back to her hometown, it was natural for her to start baking with her mom again. She quickly realized that she'd found her life's calling -- baking delicious, king-sized cupcakes. Yet, within a few short months of taking orders, her four KitchenAid mixers weren't enough to get the job done.

Following the tried-and-true path of many successful entrepreneurs, Kandah decided to move the business she launched out of her house into a retail storefront. Her new shop, called Colossal Cupcakes, is set to open this Friday, March 16th -- just in time for an onslaught of hungry downtown visitors on St. Patty's Day.

"I wanted to bring Clevelanders the same thing I saw in New York -- an actual specialty cupcake store, always stocked with a large variety of cupcakes, that never closes early or sells out," says Kandah. "I thought, why not Cleveland?"

Colossal Cupcakes will offer generous-sized cupcakes -- twice as big as ones you'd find at a typical bakery, Kandah promises -- for $3.75. Visitors will have 40-plus varieties to choose from, including the Colossal Classic, a milk chocolate cupcake that has raspberry filling and is topped with almond butter cream frosting. Guilt-inducing drinks such as Red Velvet Hot Cocoa will also be available.

Other offerings include coffee, tea, cupcake shakes made out of homemade vanilla ice cream and cream cheese whipped cream to top off your steaming cup of hot chocolate. Looking for a low-cal option? Try the tasty vegan cupcakes.

Kandah built out her retail storefront at 530 Euclid Avenue to feature a French cottage-style theme. It also features reclaimed wood countertops.

Colossal Cupcakes will be open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday until 9 p.m.

Source: Kelly Kandah
Writer: Lee Chilcote