Since the local baked-goods chain Cupcakes launched in 2002, the nature of the dessert market in Metro Vancouver has changed quite a bit, due to the proliferation of shops and cafés selling artisanal ice cream, macarons, shaved ice, bubble tea, and more.

Although the Vancouver-based Cupcakes, which originally specialized in retro-style cupcakes and cakes, once had over 10 locations and even launched the reality TV show The Cupcake Girls, a number of shops have since shut down.

The Kitsilano shop at 2887 West Broadway closed on June 10. An automated message states that the location is closed "indefinitely…due to some technical issues" and that they are no longer taking orders. The closure means that all locations within Vancouver proper have closed down, although others remain open throughout the Lower Mainland.

Other closures this year include the English Bay venue at 1168 Denman Street (the first Cupcakes store had opened at 1116 Denman Street before relocating) and the downtown location at 797 Thurlow Street, which is now Perverted Ice Cream.

Previous closures include the Oakridge and West Vancouver locations.

Locations that the Georgia Straight confirmed are still in operation are at Metropolis in Metrotown (Burnaby), Guildford Town Centre in Surrey, Grandview Corners in South Surrey, and Highstreet Mall in Abbotsford, and over on Vancouver Island at Uptown Mall in Victoria.

The Georgia Straight is awaiting a response from the company to an inquiry about the closures.

The company underwent a rebranding as Cupcakes and Other Good Stuff in 2016 to coincide with the launch of Betterwith, an ice cream line using traceable cream. However, cofounder Lori Joyce left Cupcakes in July 2017 to become the CEO of Betterwith Foods.