Sweet Jules brings bakery goodness to downtown sweet teeth
Once a homey hotdog joint, 9th Church Avenue, just off of Main Street, has transformed from beef to bakery. Sweet Jules Bakes will now be tempting the sweet teeth of Oshkosh residents through a vast assortment of confectionary creations.
After several years of selling her baked goods at local farmers markets, Jules Kupsky will finally market her baked goods in her very own brick and mortar, as she held her official ribbon cutting on March 2. Kupsky admits this proved an emotional moment.
“The biggest success has just been getting my bakery open, and having my ribbon cutting--I cried a ton that day,” she said.
The bakery sells a selection of custom cakes, cupcakes, scones, biscotti, cookies, and more. Sweet Jules Bakes specializes in creating baked goods specialized for those on gluten-free or vegan diets, which was largely inspired because of Kupsky’s mother.
“I’ve also been baking with my mom since I was a kid,” she said. “She’s gluten-free so I started baking for her, so she’d be included. And then I started baking for other allergies, and nobody could tell the difference anyway.”
Kupsky wasn’t always completely sure of opening her own bakery. However, her sister contributed a majority of influence and ambition to the decision.
“My sister inspired me two fold. She is an artist and she quit her job and sold everything to get money to go to Spain and learn how to do street art,” she said. “So, when I got injured years ago, when I started this business, she actually taught me to meditate and I started baking again and she kind of egged me on, telling me ‘if this is what you love,’ so she definitely inspired me.”
Many people have become enthusiastic about how tasty and inclusive Kupsky’s treats are. One customer excited about the level of allergy awareness at Sweet Jules Bakes is confection connoisseur Klaire Laux.
“Jules made the perfect wedding cake with assorted cupcakes. The flavors were out of this world and she was able to make them gluten-free and vegan,” she said. “I received compliments all night long-- no one could tell the difference!”
Devoted downtown visitor Leah Eick has also joined the growing cadre of loyal fans.
“Sweet Jules provided the cake and cupcakes for my wedding and they were absolutely amazing! Hands down my favorite cupcakes I’ve ever had! I will definitely be returning for other events in the future,” she said.
Kupsky also enjoys her own desserts.
“I never make anything I don’t like,” she said. “I think chocolate decadence cake is the cake that has my heart. It’s like a chocolate cake with a chocolate buttercream I created, with a butter and cream cheese blend. I put a homemade salted caramel and toffee on it as well.”
Sweet Jules Bakery is currently open for business from Thursday through Saturday, but Kupsky plans to extend hours once more staff have been hired. Kupsky’s bakery can be found right outside of Main Street, greeting customers with a mild turquoise door. This summer, Sweet Jules Bakes will still be selling sweet goods featuring local goods at both the Oshkosh and Neenah Farmers Market.
“I already signed up for the Neenah Farmer’s market and I’m also going to be at the Oshkosh Farmers market still in my old spot, over by The Turquoise Door,” she said. “I’m going to be there on all weekends except those that I already have weddings planned for.”
Kupsky remains very passionate about her craft and welcomes all to simply try her treats.
“I think you should check us out because I feel like you can really taste that this is something I really love. I think you can feel that here,” she said. “I bake everything from scratch, source local eggs, milk, and seasonal items. I really love what I do and I think you can tell.”
By Kassandra Bowlus-Jasinski
April 24 2023
Oshkosh West Index Volume 119 Issue VII