Since last year, Capital City Cheesecake has been operating out of the kitchen at Colonel Brooks’ Tavern in Brookland, where CCC founders Caitlin and Meaghan Murphy were born and raised. Starting in April, the sisters will abandon their childhood stomping grounds for a place of their own: the former Savory Cafe in Takoma Park.
To fill that yawning, tri-level space in downtown Takoma Park, the Murphy sisters are looking to expand their offerings beyond the miniature and classic cheesecakes on which they’ve made their reputation. They plan to add sugar cookies, vegan cheesecakes, and (naturally) cupcakes, which seems to be the new generation’s drug of choice.
Even better, the sisters will launch a “morning cafe” on the weekends, from about 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., during which they will serve homemade buttermilk waffles, bagels with various house-made spreads, muffins, coffee, and juices.
The upstairs will be a casual cafe with tables and chairs for those who want a slice of cheesecake (or a miniature cheesecake all to themselves!) and a cup of coffee. The small entry level will boast couches and wifi for the cyber squatters among you, while the downstairs will be a multi-purpose space. It will be rented out for private parties or used for cooking classes with a pastry chef.
When the downstairs is not being employed for either purpose, says Meaghan Murphy, the 25-year-old CEO, customers will be able to wander down there and interact with the chef, 28-year-old Caitlin Murphy, who will be working out of an open kitchen.
“Further down the road, we hope to develop into a bakery,” says Meaghan Murphy, hinting at brownies, croissants, and signature sweets like a chocolate panino with strawberries.
Capital City Cheesecake hopes to open on Saturday, April 3, or at least sometime close to then. But whatever the opening date, the sisters are encouraging customers to give them a try before then. You might say they are enticing customers to sample their cheesecakes: The Murphys are offering free delivery anywhere inside the Beltway with an order of $25 or more (or one dozen items).
You can order online here.
Photo courtesy of Capital City Cheesecake