Sugarbakers-trained siblings launch Twisted Sisters Sweets and Treats in Norris
Baking has gone to a new level now that the Twisted Sisters have taken their talents to a storefront in Norris.
Alecia (Parrott) Jackson and Katie (Parrott) Eslinger were born in Powell and now live next door to each other in Heiskell. For the past year, the two have worked together at Sugarbakers Supplies in Powell, while churning out their own custom orders from home.
When the Sweet Café in the Norris City Center became available, the two jumped at the chance to create a destination bakery and launch their Twisted Sisters Sweets and Treats business.
Alecia, who at 39 is four years older than Katie, called herself and her sister “wing it” type of people. But for two entrepreneurs ready to embark on the journey of a lifetime, they seem to have a pretty good plan in place.
The two women have very defined roles within the business. Alecia’s specialties are cakes and cupcakes. Katie is the cookie person.
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“I’m not very good with lettering on a cake,” Alecia said. “That’s something Katie is good at.”
A plan with phases
The initial stage of the business plan will focus on custom orders. Each woman handles 10-20 custom orders a week. Alecia has a wedding for 500 coming up, which has her a bit on edge.
Once they’re settled with their custom orders, the next stage is to offer walk-in cupcakes and cookies — and don’t forget the homemade marshmallows that are Alecia’s favorites.
From there, coffee, muffins and pies will give folks an opportunity to spend some time at a table soaking in the wonderful smells.
It's not stopping here, though. There are plans for deli options along with Katie’s mandate for a large selection of ice cream.
“I’m super-stoked to get that counter set up for ice cream,” Katie said. “That countertop with the stools can be a focal point.
“We’ve both got a lot of great customers now. Our clientele will follow us to Norris. Everyone’s already looking forward to the move.”
“This is such a great community,” said Alecia. “While we were visiting there, we had five or six people stop in the say ‘hi.’ We posted on our Facebook page that we were coming and the number of people that have reached out is overwhelming.”
Self-taught bakers
Alecia and Katie aren’t strangers to Norris. They attended Norris Middle School before going to Anderson County High School.
Neither was a longtime baker. Alecia said she didn’t start baking until her five boys started having birthdays.
She felt compelled to do it herself.
Same with Katie. She really didn’t start baking cookies until a year ago when she started at Sugarbakers (Alecia had already been there a year).
“We were both self-taught,” said Katie. “We watched videos and learned what to do.”
“I enjoy the cake decorating part of it most,” said Alecia. “Since I was young, I loved art classes. I loved the creativity involved with art. This gives me a way to have an artistic outlet without paint.”
Alecia, who teaches cake decorating and children’s classes at Sugarbakers, will likely stay on there as long as she can. Katie will probably handle most of the hours at their Norris location.
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Customer service key
The plan is for them to be closed Sundays and Mondays. The other days, they would stay open until an hour after the middle school lets out so they can capitalize on the hungry, growing students looking for an afternoon snack. Still undecided is whether the bakery will reopen later for evening hours.
The experience the sisters have gained from their time at Sugarbakers will be valuable for their new venture. Sugarbakers owner Steven Letner has fostered a positive atmosphere in the store.
“Customer service is huge,” Alecia said. “It’s been Steven’s focus since we started. It’s like a family environment. When someone comes in, they’re friends and family — not customers.
“We work really hard to make that happen. We want to do the same with our shop.”
Alecia said the volume of baking that needs to be done won’t affect the special orders. She said gluten-free, nut-free or other allergen-free items will be the first things made each day, so there’s no risk of contamination.
“The biggest concern I have right now is either being overprepared or underprepared,” Alecia said. “If we bake 150 cupcakes and people buy five, that’s a concern. If we bake 50 and they buy 50 in the first hour, that will be a concern.
“Getting a feel for that is important.”
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville's Sugarbakers: Trained sisters launch bakery in Norris
