Dessert shop Sissy's Sweets found success in Boiling Springs. Now it's coming to Spartanburg

SPARTANBURG —  After a successful seven-month run in Boiling Springs, dessert shop Sissy’s Sweets plans to open a second location in Spartanburg by June.

Owner Miranda Gilbert started the business from home during the pandemic in June 2020. Inspired by her sister’s battle with Down syndrome and love for baking, Gilbert named the business Sissy’s since that is what she and her sister, Erika Gilbert, called each other.

Erika died in May 2020 from complications associated with her illness, but her memory is always close.

Gilbert employs 13 people with special needs at her Boiling Springs location, including some with Down syndrome. It’s a way for Gilbert to help others who might not otherwise have an opportunity to learn new job skills. Some of the dessert shop’s favorites with customers include almond vanilla cake, homemade Pop-tarts and Nutella twists.

The business has four full-time bakers.

Gilbert said expanding was always a consideration. When Spartan Bakery announced it was closing its location at 210 Westgate Mall Drive in Spartanburg, Gilbert decided it would be the best location for an expansion.

“We will keep our current location in Boiling Springs and open the new location at Spartan Bakery by June 1,” Gilbert said. “The new kitchen will be four times as big as the one we have now.”

Sissy’s Sweets will continue to make the white square cakes once made by Spartan Bakery. Gilbert said she acquired the recipe and began making them over the past, week selling 500 white cakes in just two days.

The dessert shop will continue to specialize in making custom cakes, cupcakes, cookies and cake pops. The Boiling Springs location also has fresh desserts made daily at the front counter.

Gilbert’s brother Jared Lanford helps run the business. His wife, Kayla Lanford, will be a baker at the Spartanburg location. The former Spartan Bakery location is a perfect fit for the business, he said.

“We are just excited to be able to have an opportunity to implement the same type of business that Spartan Bakery brought to the community all these years with a twist of what we have got going on,” Lanford said. 

Sissy’s Sweets’ location at 2520 Boiling Springs Road is open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.