Sunday, July 13, 2008 by Planet Janet.

Four years ago, Jennifer Chapman and Michelle Miller were introduced by a mutual friend after moving to Charlotte within the same week.  As their friendship grew, the women started dreaming out loud about opening a bakery. “The cupcake thing hadn’t come to Charlotte yet,” said Chapman, so they knew they had found their niche.

Now, eight months after launching their dream come true, the Polka Dot Bake Shop is thriving and has a staff of 10 employees.

From customized pull-apart cakes to their daily delectable specials (check out the Mexican hot chocolate cupcakes on Fridays), this gourmet bakery fits the bill for any occasion. Have a special request? No problem. Chapman once custom designed a dozen cupcakes – six with guns and six with roses – in honor of the birthday boy’s favorite band.
Can’t pick up your order? No worries. They deliver.

Families first

The shop in ParkTowne Village is the epitome of a family-friendly business. Since Miller gave birth to her second child in January, she’s able to formulate their all-natural, no-trans-fat recipes while her son, Meyer, snoozes in a Pack ‘n Play.
“Looking at all the commotion in the kitchen keeps him occupied when he’s awake,” Miller said.

Three of their employees are mothers as well. If someone is unable to come to work because of a sick child, often another employee steps in.  The partners, on occasion, even babysit for each other. “As two working mothers, if something comes up, neither of us are hesitant to take the kids,” Miller said. “No one is afraid to get their hands dirty and jump in with the kids at any moment.”

The secret to their success

For Chapman, an accountant with 30 years of cake-decorating experience, and Miller, with a background in restaurant and hotel management, the partnership is a good fit.

“She does things I don’t do, and I do things she doesn’t do, so it works pretty well,” Chapman said.
What’s their secret? Chapman said: “Have a business partner that you trust. Do something that you love. Hire really good employees, and keep them happy. Be flexible with them, too.”

“After working with Michelle on this business … she is still one of my dearest and closest friends. When I have a chance to catch up with a friend over lunch, she’s at the top of my list. That’s one of the things I’m most proud of: opening a business with a dear friend and staying dear friends throughout the process,” Chapman said.

Miller said, “There is not a day that doesn’t go by that I don’t talk to Jen. I would miss talking to her daily about things. We have a wonderful working relationship.”

Posted in CHARLOTTE, N.C., Cusine, Cuisine - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Business and retail - CHARLOTTE, N.C. | Print | No Comments »

Thursday, July 10, 2008 by Planet Janet.

Finding the right place for a kid’s birthday party at the right price can be quite a feat.  Add the stress of coming up with an original idea, and plenty of parents are at a loss. Here’s some fun stuff you can try around the area.Ideas under $100
• Throw an “American Idol” slumber party. Borrow a karaoke machine and watch as the children sing the night away.  “American Idol” party favors, such as microphone piñatas and customized banners, can be purchased from CelebrateExpress.com.
• Celebrate with a firehouse party. The Charlotte Fire Department surprised partygoers at Daniel Lewyn’s third birthday party at CameronWood in southwest Charlotte.  The excited kids toured the fire truck and posed for pictures, as Gail and David Lewyn furiously snapped photographs. As long as they aren’t on a call, many of the local fire stations will happily swing by to hand out sticker badges. To learn how to book a visit, call Fire Information:  704-336-2441.
• Ruh-roh! Lisa Pool of Fort Mill. S.C., threw a Scooby-Doo party for son Jonathan. Each member of “The Gang” was served graham cracker “Scooby snacks” in a personalized dog bowl. The hostess created monogrammed dog collars from ribbon and foam tags. They capped off the festivities with a find-the-bone game.
• Dan Nicholas Park, 6800 Bringle Ferry Road, Salisbury, is a short 35-minute drive from uptown. Activities include: Hayden’s Carousel, Hurley Train Station, mini-golf, paddle boats, Hurley Water Plaza, The Petting Barn, The Nature Center, The Cheerwine Aquarium and a handicap-equipped playground. Lots of picnic shelters. Details: www.dannicholas.net.

Ideas under $200
• Earth Fare, 12235 North Community House Road, Charlotte, in Ballantyne, offers birthday parties and cooking classes catered to your little chefs. Children prepare and then devour their own food. Prices vary; 704-926-1201. SouthPark location is scheduled to open in mid-August.
• Latta Park Sprayground, 601 East Park Ave., Charlotte, in Dilworth; and Veterans’ Park Sprayground, 2136 Central Ave., Charlotte.  Kids can run around in fenced-in water-spray areas. The picnic shelters have grills and can be reserved for $100 by calling 704-353-1238.
• Celebrate with Homer and the Charlotte Knights at Knights Stadium, 2280 Deerfield Drive, Fort Mill, S.C. $195 provides reserved seats for 10 kids and two adults, special recognition atop the dugout with Homer, and an hour at a birthday table, where a personalized cake and soda are provided.  Guests get a Knights souvenir.  Call Rebekah Leveille at 704-357-8071, ext. 2168.
• (NOW CLOSED) AirPlay Kids, 3700 Avenue of the Carolinas, Fort Mill, S.C., is becoming popular with south Charlotte and Fort Mill moms. Located next to Carowinds in The Crossroads Mall, “The Inflatable Play Zone” has open play hours all year and can be rented for private parties. Unlike other inflatable play places, AirPlay Kids closes to the public during party times. Prices range from $155 to $285. It’s closed at the moment because the mall is being remodeled but scheduled to reopen in the fall; 803-802-7050.

Ideas over $300
• Invite eight to 10 “young ladies” to a traditional tea party at La-Tea-Da’s, 1942 E. Seventh St., in Elizabeth. For $300, attendees receive a manners lesson and scavenge the dress-up trunk for the perfect outfit, hat and jewels. A full tea menu, birthday cake, printed invitations and thank you cards included. Other party packages are available; 704-372-9599.
• Balloons Over Charlotte, 7984 Graham Road, Denver, gives thrill-seekers a bird’s-eye view of the Lake Norman area. Flights depart at sunrise and one and a half hours before sunset and last about three hours. Dan Stone is an FAA-certified pilot who has been flying balloons for more than 25 years. Flights are limited to six people, and tickets cost as little as $165 per person; 704-896-5241.

Top picks
• EAST MECKLENBURG TOP PICK:  Let the kids “climb the walls” at Inner Peaks Climbing Center, 9535 Monroe Road, Suite 170, Charlotte; www.Inner-Peaks.com.
• WEST MECKLENBURG TOP PICK:  Embark on a rafting adventure at the U.S. National Whitewater Center, 820 Hawfield Road, Charlotte. Cap it with a party catered by its professional staff; www.usnwc.org.
• NORTH MECKLENBURG TOP PICK:  Hop on a horse-drawn wagon at Lazy 5 Ranch in Iredell County, 15100 N.C. 150 East, Mooresville, and come face to face with 750 animals from six continents; www.Lazy5Ranch.com.
• SOUTH MECKLENBURG TOP PICK:  Thrill rides and family-friendly rides abound at Carowinds, 14523 Carowinds Blvd., Charlotte. If the weather is steaming hot, party guests can splash the day away at Boomerang Bay Water Park; Carowinds.com.

Posted in MomsCharlotte - CHARLOTTE, N.C., CHARLOTTE, N.C., Business and retail - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Retail reviews, Around town - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Parenting - CHARLOTTE, N.C. | Print | No Comments »

Tuesday, July 1, 2008 by Planet Janet.

Mint Hill gymnast Cameron Rogers is getting close to realizing his Olympic dream.
May was a good month for the teen. It started at the Junior Olympic National Championships in
Battle Creek, Mich., where Rogers came in 10th place in the country in the all-around
competition. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in CHARLOTTE, N.C., Around town - CHARLOTTE, N.C. | Print | No Comments »