Blake Smith/Jefferson Jimplecute
For many, COVID-19 proved to be a trying time. The country was faced with a record number of job losses and yet, some viewed COVID as an opportunity to pursue their passion projects.
Many people like Jefferson native, Jennifer Phillips, found that COVID did not mark the end of an era but the beginning.
Although the pandemic did not negatively impact all her business ventures, it did greatly impact Jennifer’s wedding cake bakery, Calavera Cakery.
After talks of running a bakery proved to be nearly impossible during the pandemic, Phillips began thinking outside the box about how she could continue pursuing her love of baking in a unique way.
The idea of opening a food truck was bounced around. However, it is not what encouraged Phillips to open a double-decker bakery.
In an attempt to find a motorhome online, Phillips and her husband, Ray stumbled upon a unique business opportunity in Boston. About a week after their discovery, Ray took to the sky to bring home the infamous double decker bus that is now known as Miss Kitty.
“Instead of getting a motorhome, we bought [the bus] in January 2020. While everything was locked down, we ended up building it out,” Jennifer said.
Red Bus Cupcakes officially opened its doors on June 19, 2020. The Phillips’ immediately began landscaping behind Calavera Cakery in order to make room for the bus. Since the business opened at the peak of the pandemic, the bus made it easier for people to enjoy delicious desserts while also following COVID protocols.
“Everybody was socially distanced, and we had picnic tables spaced out. People would bring blankets and we implemented a take a number system so that nobody had to stand in a line,” Jennifer said.
Fortunately for the residents of Jefferson, the pandemic did not negatively impact Red Bus. The implementation of COVID protocols helped boost sales while keeping guests safe.
“The most challenging part of opening Red Bus Cupcakes was keeping up with the demand because every week, the crowd seemed to double. That first season was insane because every time we thought we were on top of things, the crowd doubled,” Jennifer said.
Now, Red Bus Cupcakes serves several desserts including cupcake sundaes, cobblers, cinnamon rolls, homemade ice cream sweetened with local honey and signature cupcakes.
Among these treats, the strawberry and wedding cake cupcakes are the bestsellers. The blueberry and peach cobblers as well as the cinnamon rolls are also fan favorites. For those that prefer indulging seasonally, Red Bus has a number of specialty cupcakes.
Despite the shop being on wheels, Red Bus is permanently parked in Marion County. It’s located at the corner of Polk and Henderson streets. However, that does not mean locals cannot order ahead or receive catering services. Red Bus Cupcakes is available for delivery in Jefferson for orders over one dozen.
For more information about upcoming events and specialty cupcakes, fans can follow the Red Bus on Facebook and Instagram @redbuscupcakes. You can also visit them online at www.redbuscupcakes.com/.
Jennifer was not the only member of the Phillips’ family that turned COVID-19 into a positive business opportunity. Ray Phillips, who works as an oil and gas attorney, decided to team up with his son, Jarrett Phillips, who works as an ag teacher in Jefferson, to open Calavera Leather and Cigar Co.
In January 2022, the Phillips’ family leased a strip of stores on Walnut Street and began building. Even though its doors have been open for less than six months, Calavera Leather and Cigar Co. has seen great success.
For those that appreciate the finer things in life, the Calavera Leather and Cigar Co’s sister store, Calavera Home officially opened its doors on March 18, 2023.
Calavera Home, although owned by the Phillips’ family, is operated by family friend Kristal Childs. Childs is a third-generation picker whose grandmother Fayline once sold antiques in Marion County only a few feet away from Calavera Home.
For more information about Calavera Leather and Cigar Co. or Calavera Home, you can find them on Instagram and Facebook @calaveraleatherandcigarco and @calavera.home
Even though the pandemic put a two year pause on the world, the Phillips’ family did not stop chasing their dreams. They turned a trying time into a chain of blooming businesses in Jefferson with a little faith and a lot of family.
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