The Smallcakes Bakery is enjoying success in Ripon next to the Save Mart supermarket on Colony Road just north of Highway 99 with its offering of daily-made specialized cupcakes and homemade ice cream selections.
Maijil and Charlie Brunet had a soft opening last month with customers flocking into their front door and selling out every day but one.  That one day they took what leftovers they had down to the police and fire departments and to Bethany Home.
“We bake fresh every morning,” Brunet said, “baking all 14 of our signature selections among a total of 300 varieties of cupcakes.  We do make our own ice cream and don’t bring anything into the shop.  And, we customize our special orders, according to the need.”
 A kitchen staff of six pastry chefs are early risers in the cupcake shop before dawn every morning.
He noted that his wife Maijil came to the U.S. in 2008 from her native Philippines. She also works as a neonatal registered nurse at a Modesto hospital caring from preemies. 
Charlie said the “reason for this place is our two boys.” 
They are parents to 8-year-old Charlie and 5-year-old Taylor who was born with downs syndrome who works with his brother behind the counter folding gift boxes and meeting with the adult customers.  He added that education and work ethic are very important to both of them and their boys are learning those traits through their times at the bakery.
Little Charlie has planted his own garden at home since he was four and the neighbors up and down the street have gotten his cherry tomatoes delivered to them on a regular basis, he added.  Charlie attends Colony Oak School and Taylor will be joining him at that campus next year. 
Charlie Senior is retired from the U.S. Army.

To contact Glenn Kahl, email gkahl@mantecabulletin.com