Whether you’re walking the busy streets of downtown Charleston or just out for a ride, I’m sure you’ve noticed the growth of new businesses both small and large opening their doors. Having been part of this new business growth in 2006, we always have our eyes out for other new finds. We were lucky to move across the street from a new treat, Sugar Bakeshop, located on Cannon Street downtown just off the beaten path. If you haven’t discovered this new sweet spot, it’s time to check them out! The brains and creativity behind the new creation are Bill Bowick and David Bouffard who have successfully transplanted themselves to Charleston from New York City. And better yet, they came bearing treats to share for all. As a fellow transplant and small business owner, I was intrigued to learn more about these two and the transformation from their life as successful architects in New York City to the slower pace of life in Charleston running the town’s “Best New Bakery” (as voted by the Charleston City Paper.) I hope you find the interview with Bill as interesting as I did.

Q: Where are you from originally?

A: I grew up mostly in Chattanooga, TN. I eventually attended the University of Tennesee where I studied architecture. David grew up in Vermont and Washington.

Q: What brought both of you to New York?

A: Everything New York has to offer, especially the architecture of course.

Q: What type of architecture did you work on while in New York?

A: I worked mostly on high end residential which can be seen at TsAO & McKOWN, but would also design anything from furniture to flat ware. David worked for the company, HOK doing hospital design.

Q: What brought you guys to Charleston?

A: New York is great, but there is so much to offer. Charleston is a smaller city where we thought we could have more of an impact. Not to mention the housing is slightly more affordable than New York City!

Q: What made you want to open a small business in Charleston?

A: I have always loved baking and wasn’t able to find a place to get fresh homemade treats, so I thought I would create that place for myself and others. David has also had the opportunity to work with a local architecture firm liollio continuing with his talents in hospital design.

Q: How did you get into baking?

A: I loved the creative side of architecture and I feel like baking offers a different way of expressing a creative outlet. It also reminds me of days as a child sitting in the kitchen in Tenesee listening to my mother and grandmother talk as they baked.

Q: Where do you get your recipes?

A: My mother and grandmother of course! Being modernist, we also try to stick to the simpler side of baking by using simple, old fashioned recipes like the 1,2,3,4 cake recipe.

Q: What has been your best seller so far?

A: The chocolate chip cookie has to be number one, but the oatmeal raisin and ginger cookies come in as a close second. The Lady Baltimore is our Thursday special which seems to be quite popular as well.

Q: What was the inspiration for the bakery as a whole?

A: As a child, I remember shopping with my mother and my grandmother in small southern boutiques. They had something that just enveloped you. I took that feeling and combined it with David and my admiration for simplicity. Our shop pays homage to the days of old while creating a modern and inviting space at the same time. With the use of white, blues, and greens as the main colors, it allowed us to use the baked goods as our main source of decoration.

Q: What has been the best thing about opening a business in Charleston?

A: The social aspect! Coming from New York, you think you’ve seen it all, but Charleston has so many creative and interesting people. We have really enjoyed everyone we have met so far.

Q: Anything else you want to share?

A: Yea, when do I get to interview you? ( I guess that is the social aspect he was just talking about.)

While doing this interview, I not only had the pleasure of learning more about Bill and David and their wonderful bakeshop, but put in a special order for chocolate cupcakes for my son’s play date later this week. I’m sure I will have to taste test one before giving them to children, right? For a menu of treats, please be sure to stop by www.sugarbake.com. If you want to see more photos of the shop you can see them here.

A special thanks to Bill and David

We have tried to keep the {e} Chalkboard Blog a place where we can share some of the things we love, learn, know, do, and enjoy. We had a great time learning about our neighbors at Sugar Bakeshop and if you have enjoyed reading this post let us know. If you have a business or know of one you think would be a great fit for the {e} Chalkboard Blog let us know either by commenting below or emailing us.

Sugar Bakeshop
59 1/2 Cannon Street
Charleston, SC 29403
p. 843.579.2891