Stacee Green shows off some of the gourmet cupcakes she’s baking as part of a new venture called Mountain House Cupcakes, an at-home baking business. Glenn Moore/Our Town
Her soon-to-be ex-husband was arrested on suspicion of child abuse last month, and Green was left to raise her two children with no means to support them. Her husband had cleaned out most of the bank accounts they shared and left her with almost nothing.
Green, 43, knew she had to find a way to support her family and keep them in the house and neighborhood they have grown to love over the past two years, so she combined her catering experience and her love of baking to start Mountain House Cupcakes, an at-home business that makes gourmet baked goods.
“It’s survival,” she said. “We’re basically living day to day.”
For those craving a jumbo red velvet cupcake or hoping to order a baker’s dozen in basic chocolate or vanilla, Green said she’s happy to accommodate any size order. She keeps some cupcakes ready daily, but she will gladly bake other flavors to order. She also delivers free of charge in Mountain House.
She said she wants to offer more than just the typical flavors in the future, and she aims to start with a children’s series, which would have special treats, such as cotton candy or Pop Rocks, on top.
Most of her money is spent on the raw materials she needs for the new business, she said, and she has to be particular about how she uses them.
“I have to do everything perfectly,” she said. “I can’t waste ingredients.”
Green has stayed at home with her children the past eight years, something she and her husband decided was the best thing for the family when she had her son, Albert Jr., 8.
Before Albert Jr. was born, Green owned a catering business, Simply Appetizers, which she said helped her to learn how to work on a tight budget.
“Everybody wanted a lobster kind of wedding on a chicken budget,” she said. “I just thought, there’s gotta be an easier way to be able to do what I love, cooking and baking.”
She said making cupcakes is more fun and much more marketable. So far, she has promoted the business with fliers around Mountain House.
“I don’t want to have to pick up and move and not know where we’re going,” she said. “I just don’t want to put my kids through that. I owe it to them to do whatever I can do to keep them in a stable home.”
She said Mountain House has been a great place to raise the children. Walking her son to school every morning is “some of the best times,” she said, and she doesn’t want to lose that.
Green said that neighbors have offered her support and even dropped off food at the house when the pantry was bare.
“The Mountain House community has just been so wonderful and understanding,” she said.
To reach Green at Mountain House Cupcakes, call 814-6375 or send e-mail to mtnhouse.cupcakes@yahoo.com.
• In the Spotlight is a weekly feature profiling a member of our community. To nominate someone who lives in Tracy or Mountain House, e-mail tpnews@tracypress.com.
you've just made my point. whay is it ok to ask those questions of the folks i mentioned and not this person. i didn't accuse her of anything or call to have her investigated. i'm just curious as to why those that made unfounded accusations against street vendors are not worried about Stacee's preparation area or business license. you do know the reason but are ashamed to admit it. by the way i grew up long before you.
Too bad they didn't post a number to place an order. Did I miss it?
Rock on my fellow single mama! You're an inspiration to us all.