Latest Crave marks year of cupcake delight

Oh, the cupcake. Butter, sugar, eggs, flour ... not quite. The perfectly individualized cakes born in the early 1800s have been improved upon. And any visitor to Geneva's Third Street in the last year was maybe lucky enough to savor the brownie-like dark chocolate Blackbottom cupcake with baked-in cream cheese and chocolate chip filling.

The Latest Crave serves up about eight unique and delectable cupcakes daily at its cupcake bistro in downtown Geneva at 227 S. Third St. There is a complete repertoire of 21 cupcakes plus three seasonal flavors. A pink cupcake-shaped sign will alert you to the yummy offerings inside, including toffee and frosting shots.

Owners Elaine Swedun and Nancy Cornwell started out in such a sinful business by making English toffee in the Third Street shop's kitchen during the off-hours of the former sandwich shop located in the spot in 2007. Then they scooped up the building, and the rest is cupcake history.

"We've learned that people really love cupcakes," Cornwell said.

Visit www.thelatestcrave.com for mouth-watering visuals and more.

Comings

-- Yoga in Oswego is celebrating its grand opening at 4535 Route 71 in Oswego. The studio, near Oswego Fitness, opened this fall and brings not just yoga, but Pilates, strength training and aerobics to the area.

Owners Rachel Marker and Lynne Page said they give a complete body workout experience. And classes focus on each participant based on individual medical history and fitness goals.

Marker and Page provide more than 30 years of combined experience in the fitness world. Marker is a personal trainer and was recently featured in Oxygen magazine. Page is a personal trainer and master trainer in yoga and aerobics.

Yoga in Oswego is currently welcoming people to "come and play" with special savings offers and a visit to the studio for free. All classes are drop-in style. A 10-class punch card is $150, with no expiration date, and can be shared by family members of the same household.

For more information, check out Yoga in Oswego's Web site at www.yogainoswego.com or call 630-247-6104.

-- On Monday, Chicago Premium Outlets welcomes Vera Bradley. The store is the first outlet for the handbag company known for bright, patterned soft purses and bags. Vera Bradley is synonymous with quilted accessories that add flare to any woman's style. The brand offers a large line of stylish cotton luggage, handbags and accessories "that combine smart product designs with distinctive and colorful fabrics and trims."

The unique bags are often mimicked, but never matched and fit nicely under most Christmas trees.

Vera Bradley at the Chicago Premium Outlets is at 1650 Premium Outlets Blvd., Suite 1259, in Aurora. The brand is also available locally at Nicole's Hallmark store at West Plaza in Aurora and Little Traveler on Third Street in Geneva.

Submit items to "Comings and Goings" at ourbiznews@gmail.com or 630-416-5276.