Rocco’s Cupcake Café opened in February 2023, and owner Michela Rocco reflected on what inspired her to pursue a baking business while also looking into the Kent café’s future. 

Rocco taught for a few years after graduating from Kent State with a degree in special education – but her love for baking cupcakes won out, inspiring her to start her own cupcake shop. 

“I thought this was the perfect place, and Kent didn’t really have a cupcake place, so I thought it was the perfect place to go,” Rocco said. 

The shop is located at 295 S. Water St. and is open Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. Rocco said she aspires for her café to not only be a “grab-and-go” location, but one where customers stay to enjoy their treats. 

“You come in, and you sit down, and you can have a coffee and a cupcake,” she said. “It’s more of a ‘hangout’ kind of place.”

Rocco’s assistant baker and barista, Antoinette Marinello, said a unique environment and kind atmosphere make Rocco’s Cupcake Café stand out in the community.

“The environment is super fun here,” Marinello said. “All the people who work here are all so sweet, and they want you to feel at home here. The cupcakes are so phenomenal– you really can’t compare.”

Though the business is still young, Rocco said she has high hopes for the future of the café. 

“In a year, I would love to have a food truck,” Rocco said, “I think it would be really cool to be able to go to farmer’s markets and weddings.”

Patrick Creedon is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].