Dreamcakes, a bakery known for its creative and decadent cupcakes, is closing two locations in Alabama after 13 years of business.
Dreamcakes Bakery in Homewood and Dreamcakes Cafe in Hoover will close their doors on Saturday, Aug. 13, the company announced Tuesday on social media.
“It is with great sadness that we must announce the closing of Dreamcakes bakery in Homewood,” Dreamcakes said in a post on Facebook and Instagram. “We were unable to reach an agreement with our landlord to renew our upcoming lease.
“We are so proud of our success these last 13 years. The last two years we worked hard to overcome a pandemic, government mandates banning events, labor shortages, ingredient shortages, plus the substantial increase in ingredient prices and wages. But we cannot overcome an increase in rent which led to us losing our lease.
“Because our Homewood store is our main production bakery, this means we will also be closing our Hoover location in Ross Bridge since one cannot exist without the other. Hoover, we have loved all the events, parties and afternoon teas at the Cafe and we have so many fond memories of sharing those with you!
“We want to thank all our wonderful customers and employees for supporting us over these past years. What began as a woman-owned bootstrapped little 400 sq ft. cupcake bakery, grew into a place that has welcomed thousands of guests and employed hundreds of people over the years. We absolutely loved being part of your celebrations and sharing our craft in a way that brought happiness. We are extremely humbled that so many embraced our little local bakery. It truly was a dream come true for these 13 years and is an accomplishment of which we can all be proud. Dreamcakes could not have done it without all of you!
“We will be permanently closing our Homewood and Hoover location; our final day of business will be Saturday August 13th. In the meantime, stop by, get your favorites, and share your best Dreamcakes story. We love you Birmingham and always will!”
Jan Jacks Potter, a Birmingham native and the founder of Dreamcakes, started the bakery in her home kitchen in 1998, according to the Dreamcakes website. Potter, then known as Jan Moon, opened her first brick-and-mortar shop in Homewood in 2009.
Dreamcakes quickly gained popularity for the luscious cupcakes with buttercream icing produced at 960 Oxmoor Road -- in varieties such as Wedding Cake, Caramel Mocha Sea Salt, Maple Bacon and Over the Moon -- as well as custom cakes, wedding cakes and other goodies. Dreamcakes also earned fans with its cupcake truck, selling sweets at festivals, events and more.
Potter and her husband, Dwight Potter, opened a second location of Dreamcakes in 2019 at 3601 Market St. in Hoover, calling it Dreamcakes Cafe. The menu there was expanded to include ice cream, milkshakes, sundaes, cookies and macaroons, plus coffee drinks.
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Jan Potter shared more than 100 of her recipes in a 2011 cookbook, “Big Book of Cupcakes,” teaming with editors from Southern Living.
Dreamcakes Bakery also was featured on a reality TV series, “The Amandas,” in 2012. On the episode, Birmingham organizer Amanda LeBlanc supervised a makeover of the bakery’s upstairs office and one of the delivery trucks.
In 2015, Dreamcakes was the only Alabama bakery to get a mention in The Daily Meal’s list of “101 Best Cupcakes in America,” taking the No. 12 spot.
“The thing about these delicious cakes is that they actually look like they were dreamt up during a magical tea party,” the food and dining website said. “With a billowing topper of fluffy frosting and a delicate design, these cupcakes are a work of art.”
Dreamcakes fans are paying tribute to the bakery and mourning its demise on social media, offering comments and sharing memories. Here’s a sampling from Facebook:
“What a wonderful accomplishment you have made. The community has been well served for these years and you deserve your rewards. Thank you!” -- Lee Harrelson
“I’m so sorry to hear this but understand fully the strains these last few years have brought for our bakeries! I wish you all the best in your new chapter!” -- Jonica Thompson
“I am so very sorry to hear this! You all created the beautiful cake for my mom and dad’s 50th anniversary and it was just wonderful! I hope your new chapter will be far better than your past. Thank you for your delicious and beautiful creations. Blessings and abundance to you.” -- Kimberly Thompson
“We are sad to hear this as you were one of the few bakeries who could make a great gluten free cake!!!!! What will we do without you?” -- Kim Justice Rogers
“Oh this is so sad! I used to go to your food truck by the old Eastwood mall on my lunch break almost daily. You made us the most beautiful and delicious cake for my daughter’s 15th birthday. You will be missed terribly.” -- Mandy Wells
“Such sad news. Your cupcakes have been centerpieces of our joyous days and our cupcakes make us feel better when we are sad days. I guess this means I’m going to have to open up your beautiful cookbook now and try my hand at my own, but it won’t be the same… at all.” -- Stephanie Diffee Banks
“So sad to hear this….We’ve enjoyed many goodies from there over the years — daughter’s 30th birthday cake, cupcakes to take to Auburn on the way to visit my kiddos, and then just treats to bring home. Just the thought of a wedding cake cupcake would brighten my day.” -- Catharine B. Willis
“God bless you both with strength, hope and peace as this chapter comes to an end. You have been a huge blessing to both communities!” -- Brock Murphy
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