Sisters to serve up sweet treats in Stillwater

Andrea Zimmerman was a bright young woman with a knack for being able to cheer people up and, as a result, had lots of friends. "Ducky," as she was known, also had a sweet tooth.

It has been nearly a year since Zimmerman died when the vehicle she was riding in left the road and hit a utility pole near Hwy. 95 and 144th Street in May Township. She was 20 years old.

But the memory of Zimmerman will live on, thanks to her mother, Nancy Zimmerman, and aunt, Sally Hanks. The sisters will open the Lucky Ducky Cupcakery in Andrea's honor sometime in late December or early January in the former South Hill Liquor store at 4th and Churchill streets in Stillwater.

"This will help keep her memory alive," Hanks said. "We're excited."

In a tribute to Andrea, "We incorporated her name into it," Nancy said.

Baking has always been a solace for Nancy, who has spent countless hours in the kitchen. That includes many evenings after returning home from 3M in Maplewood, where she worked in customer service for 32 years.

"If I had a bad day, I'd go home and bake cookies," she said. "If it was a really bad day, I'd bake two batches."

With the motto of a "Delight in Every Bite," Hanks said the Cupcakery will feature flavors such as the Nettie Peanut Butter, Caramel Kate and the Lemon Lindsay, all named after Andrea's closest friends.

The rotating menu also will feature the Chocolate Chocolate -- Andrea's favorite -- and a host of flavors from Nancy's vast recipe box, as well as ideas they find at online cooking sites.

"The possibilities are endless," Hanks said. "You can have any flavor in a cupcake."

Nobody knows that better than Hanks' husband, Michael. He's been tapped as one of the primary tasters of the new flavors the proprietors have invented.

"It's a good thing we have a big family and lots friends," Sally Hanks said.

The Cupcakery will sell individual cupcakes and cookies, and cater to businesses or organizations that might need a tray or box of goodies for meetings or other functions.

In a tribute to Andrea, each cupcake will be served with a vanilla duck on top.

Word about the new shop is spreading, and several people have already stopped by to check it out, even though it is still under construction. One person has even tried to place an order through www.sweetduckycupcakery.com, Nancy said.

Tim Harlow • 651-925-503, Twitter: @timstrib