Cupcake Shoppe still getting presidental buzz

Forgive the "cupcake lady" if she feels a tiny bit snubbed.

Last week during his visit to Raleigh, President Barack Obama was introduced by Sara Coleman, owner of the Cupcake Shoppe in Glenwood South.

On Tuesday, the day he turned 48, Obama gave legendary White House journalist Helen Thomas a plate of cupcakes -- they share the same birthday; she's 89.

Alas, they weren't Coleman's creations.

"I would love to say that they were, but they're not," Coleman said by telephone.

She had promised to send him some cupcakes, but it turns out that giving food to the commander-in-chief is tough. It would have to go through lots of security, including a taster, Coleman said.

Coleman is still sending a package to Obama with some T-shirts for his daughters and other non-food items.

And her two-year-old bakery is still riding some serious post-presidental buzz.

Sales during the first week of August were nearly double the same period last year, Coleman said. "We're definitely seeing some new faces in the shop," she said. "The phones are much busier."

Now her shop is planning a new-flavors contest this fall playing off Obama's comment during his Raleigh speech that "cupcakes are good for your health."

And Coleman is considering making T-shirts with the quote.

"We're trying to extend our 15 minutes," she said.