Feb. 10, 2023

Sweet things have arrived in Harrisburg.

Sugar Palace by Emily has opened, bringing gourmet cupcakes, brownies, cookies and special-order cakes from the hands of Emily Studemann.

Her bakery is in the former Subway space at 220 S. Cliff Ave., across the street from Dollar General.

“Oh, it’s wonderful,” she said of customers’ reaction to the new business. “Couldn’t have asked for a better opening. The support was fantastic.”

An early favorite in the bakery case is Grandma’s Oreos.

“Those are those giant cookies down here that my mother-in-law had made for years and years,” she said, pointing them out. “My children have always loved them, so we decided to bring them to the bakery, and they’re going over pretty well.”

They’re a soft chocolate cookie sandwich with a homemade cream cheese filling.

About a dozen cupcake varieties fill most of the space in the bakery case.

“Everybody seems to be just trying a lot of different flavors just so they can figure out their favorite.”

Display cupcakes and cakes, including a Barbie with an edible dress, show some of Studemann’s skills. She was a professional cake decorator and managed grocery store bakeries in the Twin Cities before moving to Sioux Falls in 2009.

Gluten-free treats also are available.

The bakery has seating for about 20 customers, and soon they’ll be able to enjoy a cup of coffee with their treats – Studemann is waiting for parts to hook up the coffee machine.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.