Former NFL football player Jamar Israel (Fletcher) and Apison resident Dooley Swafford are bringing Gigi's Cupcakes back to Chattanooga with a new location on Gunbarrel Road in East Brainerd.
A grand opening party is set for Saturday, Feb. 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees can check out Gigi's Valentine's menu while enjoying a block party hosted with neighboring businesses including Chili's, Texas Roadhouse and Massage Heights - which is offering free chair massages.
Swafford, a retired firefighter, said representatives from the local fire and police departments will also be on-hand to welcome Gigi's back to the community, and there will be family-friendly activities including cupcake decorating, face painting and a silent cake auction benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga.
The Gigi's Cupcakes opened in East Brainerd in 2009 by former franchisees Mike and Joy Irwin was among the first stores to open after the company launched in Nashville in 2008. The Lookout Mountain couple opened two more locations, one in Hixson and another in North Chattanooga. They closed all three in 2014 when their five-year agreement ended, despite record-breaking sales at the East Brainerd location several months in a row.
When longtime friends Israel and Swafford decided to go into business together, the previous success of Gigi's in Chattanooga was part of why they wanted to bring the brand back to the Scenic City.
"Once I had the product, I was sold," added Israel.
Gigi's boasts more than 300 cupcake flavors on its menu, with flavors rotating according to the season. Swafford's favorite is carrot cake, but Israel said he's unable to pick just one.
Gigi's has also expanded beyond its signature product to include other sweet treats such as cheesecake, brownies and cookies.
"This is not a situation where you just come in and get a cupcake and leave," Swafford said of the Gigi's experience. "This is a place where you can come and meet new people, and sit down and do your work with a cup of coffee. It's going to be a very memorable event for you."
Israel said they may open more stores in the future, adding that they feel there's room for two or three more in the area.
Gigi's Cupcakes is at 1925 Gunbarrel Road 109-E and can be reached at 541-5800, or visit gigiscupcakesusa.com/pages/chattanooga-tennessee.
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com