Sweet Cheesecake opens first storefront in Marion

MARION — Early in the pandemic, as Nicki Guild was out of work, the former teacher and paraeducator had a dream.

It was something any foodie worth their weight in calories can relate to — a dream about cheesecake. Except it went one step further in a way that food lovers may not relate to — a dream about running a cheesecake business.

  Buy Photo

“You’ve got to make one first,” her husband told her.

So she did — and it was pretty good, if she said so herself. Her husband, who travels to New York for work and was acquainted with The Big Apple’s cheesecake scene, thought so, too.

Then, she made them for friends and family, who emphatically approved of her developing recipes. After that, she opened a Facebook page to gauge the public’s interest.

By the looks of it, they agree, too. Now, she’s filling 300 to 400 orders each week.

After amassing more than 8,000 followers on social media, the business owner who has been baking out of her home since 2020 is opening her first storefront this fall.

“My business kept growing and growing,” Guild said. “It’s just taking off.”

  Buy Photo

How sweet is Sweet Cheesecake?

Perhaps contrary to the name, Guild’s style of cheesecake is sweet enough, but not too sweet.

With a base recipe the former novice developed through trial and error, and other versions of it to riff for certain tart varieties, Guild focuses her attention to detail on the elaborate toppings that decorate each cheesecake.

“I like to make sure there’s a lot of topping on top of it, so it’s all covered and you don’t see the cheesecake from the top,” Guild said. “I like it to be a piece of artwork.”

The cheesecake itself is creamy and thick, with a balance of sweetness that allows both the toppings and the crust to shine with a proper texture that adds a grip to the base.

Those looking for comparable reference points like The Cheesecake Factory or Junior’s may be better served by just sampling it.

“I have (customers) say they can’t eat The Cheesecake Factory anymore,” Guild said. “I used to love The Cheesecake Factory, I can’t (eat it) anymore.”

The reaction of her engaged fan base, built in part due to a relative desert of extensive cheesecake options in the Cedar Rapids area, encouraged her to turn a passion into a full-time job.

“Who doesn’t like a cheesecake,” Guild said.

For a list of flavors, it’s easier to list what she doesn’t make rather than what she does make. Those who don’t see a flavor they like on her extensive list are encouraged to ask — chances are, she can make it.

  Buy Photo

Popular flavors include monster cookie, turtle, white chocolate raspberry, Animal Cracker and Captain Crunch.

The shop

After outgrowing her home kitchen, Guild wanted a bigger commercial kitchen that could grow with her. The availability of 1360 Seventh Ave. in Marion, in addition to a few grants to repair derecho damage, helped transform a former auto body shop into a kitchen and storefront.

As she opens in Uptown Marion, she eventually hopes to open up to the world by offering shipping that will match inquiries she’s had for her cheesecake across the country. And, true to her roots, she continues to dream of further expansions with the potential for franchising.

  Buy Photo

“Mine has a personal touch to it,” said Guild, 41. “I think people like that.”

Soon, her new website will be as stocked as her store. Those with a sweet tooth can expect to find stocked cases for walk-ins offering mini cake packs, single slices, half cakes and full cakes in a variety of flavors, including an eight-slice option with a different flavor on every slice.

Comments: (319) 398-8340; elijah.decious@thegazette.com