People needing to satisfy their coffee habit or sweet tooth now have a new option.

On Wednesday, Aug. 22. Lakeside Coffee House and Princess Cupcakes opened for business.  Located at 1604 Martin Street, Suite 3, this coffee and bakery shop combo offers customers an endless selection of menu options.

Store owners Melissa Tims and Patty Daigle have worked diligently to start their own business.

“Patty and I had been wanting to do open our own place for a while,” Tims said. “We did a lot of research. We looked at several options, and this is what we came up with.”

Coffee drinkers can enjoy drinks made using a hand powered espresso machine similar to what is commonly used in Europe.

“It allows you to control the pressure of the water instead of automatically pushing a button,” Tims said.

The owners chose to stock their inventory using Sterling Products.

“Their products are not as sugar based.  They are more about flavoring,” Tims said.  “We are slowly adding more flavors.”

For non-coffee drinkers, Lakeside Coffee House and Princess Cupcakes offers green tea, real fruit smoothies and coffee-free fraps.

Tims and Daigle are planning to add a drive-thru to the business in a couple of months and hope to have it up and running by the end of the year.

“The drive-thru was actually a suggestion that came from the owner of our building, Jeff South.  But if you call ahead we will bring your order out to your car for you.”

But one of the more unique offerings Tims and Daigle like to brag about are their cupcakes.

“When Patty lived in Virginia, she owned a bakery and baked cakes and cupcakes.  She really knows what she is doing,” Tims said. “She comes in at 5 a.m. every day to bake fresh cupcakes.”

Depending on the day of the week, customers can choose from a variety of cupcake flavors.  Two staples offered every day are the Happy Birthday cupcake and the chocolate cupcake.

“The chocolate cupcake is actually a vegan cupcake.  When I tell customers what the ingredients are, they are amazed.”

Wednesdays are called “Wacky Wednesdays,” meaning it’s baker’s choice and customers can come to the store or call to find out what cupcakes are on the menu that day.  On Saturdays during football season, they feature “Roll Tide,” “War Eagle” and Beer Cheese cupcake flavors.  From 5:30-7 p.m., they host cupcake happy hour and sell cupcakes at half price until they are gone.

“We bake fresh ones daily so we try to sell all of them on a daily basis.”

Customers are encouraged to check the store’s Facebook page for daily deals, customers receive a punch card after their first purchase, giving them the opportunity to earn a free menu item after their ninth purchase.

Owners say they want customers to feel like they can come in, sit down and relax.  The store is open Monday-Friday from 6:30 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturdays from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

“But if the lights are on, the coffee’s on,” Tims said. “Just knock on the door and Patty will let you in.”

For more information and great discounts, visit the Lakeside Coffee House and Princess Cupcakes Facebook page.  The Pell City Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon cutting Friday at 11 a.m., and the store’s grand opening is Saturday, so stop by for discounts and door prizes.