Since the early 2000s, America has been caught up in a cupcake craze, with customers clamoring for gourmet versions of the frosted desserts. A new business recently opened in Westchase District that aims to help satiate shoppers’ sweet-tooth urges: Sugar Rush Too – Westchase, located at 10908 Westheimer Road. The store features a glass display case against a fuchsia wall, where rows of ornate cupcakes made fresh daily sit like works of art. The smell of gourmet coffee brewing fills the air and general manager Adam Magoti greets visitors with a smile.
Adam Magoti, general manager of Sugar Rush Too – Westchase, is all about serving up customer service on a platter for his customers
From East Africa to West Houston
Born in Tanzania, Magoti immigrated to the United States in 2000 and moved to Houston in 2004. Before plunging into the world of pies and pudding, he worked in the oil and gas industry as a plant inspector, checking for pipe gas leaks. “A few years ago, my wife started bringing home these delicious cupcakes on Sundays after church,” he said. From there, the Magotis began frequenting the original Sugar Rush Cake Gallery, located near I-610 and Stella Link Road. “We got to know the founders and eventually began discussing opening a franchise location.”
Initially hesitant about changing careers, Magoti considered the venture for about two years before taking the plunge into the cake business in July, opening in the Lakeside Village Shopping Center in the space formerly occupied by My Fit Foods. The Sugar Rush chain currently has eight locations in Greater Houston (all of the satellite locations are named Sugar Rush Too), with a central commercial kitchen from which most items are baked and distributed. “I place my order every evening, they bake everything overnight and deliver it the next morning,” Magoti said. “So whatever you choose will be fresh.”
Selection and location
Those fresh menu items include: bread pudding, banana pudding, blackberry or peach cobbler, tea cakes, a variety of cookies, cake pops, and layer and sheet cakes. There’s even a specialty cupcake called The Westchase – a vanilla cupcake with buttercream icing topped with sprinkles and a cherry. Magoti said he’s advertising via direct mail to the surrounding neighborhoods and he recently hosted a free wedding cake tasting at his store. “We can custom create whatever you want for holidays, birthdays, weddings, baby showers, you name it,” he said. “Plus we offer catering and delivery services.”
When scouting locations for his franchise, Magoti said the District was top of mind. “When I first moved to Houston, I spent a lot of time in Westchase District, eating out and shopping,” he said. “I think it’s a friendly area and the business traffic along Westheimer is really solid. My family is considering moving from Missouri City to one of the neighborhoods near Westchase District. This feels more like home to me, plus it would be a shorter commute to work.”
Sugar Rush Too offers “The Westchase,” a vanilla cupcake with buttercream icing topped with sprinkles and a cherry
Secret ingredient for success
While the owners, understandably, are highly protective of their recipes, Magoti said he has his own secret ingredient for success: outstanding customer service. “I want to make sure when you walk in my Sugar Rush location, you and your family feel comfortable sharing in the joy I feel selling these delicious sweets,” he said. “The customer is always right and will be treated well – that’s my recipe.”
Sugar Rush Too – Westchase is open from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays and closed on Mondays.
Sugar Rush Too – Westchase
10908 Westheimer Road
713-978-RUSH (7874)
www.sugarrushwestchase.com
