Boho Cupcakes: A Story of Victory, Survival and Some Yummy Treats

If you're downtown at this weekend and the smell of fresh-baked cupcakes hits you, follow your nose.

It will lead you to a charming house on East Street called Boho Cupcakes that is filled with delights for all. And I do mean all — vegan, sugar-free and gluten-free cupcakes and muffins are available, as are a sinful selection of regular treats. 

"Just how sinful?" you may ask.

Let me give you an example, with the cupcake that seems to be Rochester's favorite. It's called Kings Cake and it's banana cake with chocolate Bavarian cream filler, peanut butter whipped topping and chocolate glaze. It's $2.75.

But if you or your children have dietary restrictions, don't think that Boho isn't for you. Owner Meghan Marchewitz is passionate about offering treats that are safe for everyone to eat. Her regular menu always includes chocolate and vanilla cupcakes that are gluten-free, vegan and sugar-free, as well as rotating weekly specials.

And the best part about these treats is it's pretty much impossible to differentiate them from the regular ones. Trust me on this one. I tried. And, if I do say so myself, I know my cupcakes.

"Our specialty here is allergy-friendly baking." Marchewitz explained. "Everything we use is as pure as possible: agave nectar, coconut oil, homemade applesauce."

Marchewitz's favorite cupcake is the gluten-free, vegan, sugar-free carrot cake with vanilla whipped frosting.

I tried the chocolate gluten-free, vegan, sugar-free cupcakes topped with a vanilla butterwhipped topping. It was incredibly rich and moist. There was no way I could tell it was not a regular cupcake.

"A lot of times it's the texture that gives away the gluten-free cupcakes. They are grainy or gritty. But I've worked really hard to make sure there is no texture difference in my cupcakes." Marchewitz said.

Her hard work paid off.

Award-winning survivor

And I'm not the only one that thinks so.

Boho Cupcakes recently took First Place in a professional baking competition sponsored by Leon & Lulu and the American Diabetes Association. 

"That was a humbling and crazy experience," Marchewitz said. "To go up against 27 of the best local bakeries and win, it was like everything that I have learned — from a little kid in the kitchen with my mom and grandma to all my years in the restaurant/hospitality business — was finally appreciated."

To me, the truly amazing part of Marchewitz's story is what has inspired her passion for vegan, gluten-free and sugar-free baking. 

"I'm a three-time brain tumor survivor," Marchewitz said. "I had tumors removed in 2004, 2005 and 2007. Something in me was stimulating tumors to grow. After talking with my amazing doctors, I decided to try a vegan/vegetarian lifestyle. It's changed my life."

In a cozy corner of the Boho Cupcake house a pillow says, "Survivor" and that's just what Marchewitz is.

Speaking of that house

While Marchewitz is a native of Ohio, her husband grew up in Macomb and always dreamed of living in a historic house in downtown Rochester. When a petition on Facebook for Marchewitz to open a storefront gathered more than 500 signatures, she decided that maybe it was time to give in to popular demand. 

One Saturday, as she and her husband walked to the Rochester Farmer's Market they passed a house for lease on East Street. Marchewitz's husband said, "I think this is the place." Two days later they were gutting the place.

"I like to think outside of the box and this place is one-of-a-kind," Marchewitz said. "I treat people here the same as I would if they came into my home."

Building that customer rapport is important to Marchewitz. "Working here in downtown Rochester, every day I make a new friend."

Boho Cupcakes is located at 304 East Street. This weekend they start their expanded summer hours: Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed on Monday. For questions or custom orders, call 248-601-2626.