Asia’s Cakes bakes more than 200 custom special occasion cakes per month.
You’d be hard-pressed to meet someone with a more effervescent personality than India Matlock, the founder and owner of Asia’s Cakes artisan bakery in downtown Holly Springs.
India greets each guest with a bright smile and a warm welcome. It doesn’t take long to figure out that everything at Asia’s is driven by passion and purpose.
As the second oldest of 12 children, India’s love for baking came from her father.
“He instilled that passion in me, and now my 11-year-old daughter, Asia, has picked up a love for baking as well,” the Baltimore native says, adding that she began selling custom cakes from her home several years ago and then birthed the retail shop in the hopes that one day her daughter would follow in her footsteps.
With full support from her husband, David, who runs a mobile detailing business in Holly Springs, and their young sons, Tyler and David, India opened the shop in May 2024. Talented bakers arrive at 5 a.m. daily to create scratch-made indulgences. Commercial grade KitchenAid mixers steadily hum, and the pleasant aroma of cakes in the oven wafts well beyond the shop’s four walls.
“We’re here seven days a week rocking and rolling and doing our thing,” says India with an infectious laugh. “We encourage people to come in and say hi, grab something sweet, and then sit down and hang out with us for a while.”
Asia’s Cakes owner India Matlock and her daughter, Asia, show off a selection of from-scratch treats available daily.
Whether you choose to sit inside or outside or get something to go, you’ll find the display case teeming with sweet treats like cupcakes, mini pies, éclairs, cookies, and more.
The menu changes daily to keep things interesting, but bestselling items like honey bun cake and banana pudding cheesecake keep patrons coming back time and again. You’ll also find tempting offerings such as fruit tarts, cannoli, brownies, and parfaits, plus a good selection of gluten- and dairy-free muffins, cupcakes, and cookies.
Pair your edible delight with an espresso, hot tea, or iced lemonade.
Asia’s is housed in a cozy repurposed cinderblock building that previously operated as an auto inspection shop. India wisely chose to keep the large garage doors intact, and these remain open virtually year-round to provide an inviting, all-are-welcome vibe for customers.
A centrally positioned vertical greenery wall adds just the right touch of serenity to the interior, and painted images including cupcakes add a touch of whimsy.
“One of our young employees named Claire is an artist, so I have given her free reign to paint on the walls,” India explains.
Just outside the bakery’s entrance, a synthetic grass area serves as the foundation for several benches along with a few tables with umbrellas. It’s all flanked by attractive wooden planters. Although positioned right by the street, the space still feels like a comfy oasis.
Asia’s is pet friendly and happy to serve its canine patrons a Pup Cup: a scoop of unsweetened whipped cream.
Not surprisingly, the primary product that continues to give Asia’s steady momentum is cake. What may astonish you, though, is just how many cakes the tiny bakery churns out.
“In any given month, we make more than 200 cakes,” India reveals. “A lot of those are custom cakes for special occasions like birthdays and weddings.”
The average price for an 8-inch cake is $67, and that will feed about 20 people.
“A lot of people think you should slice cake like pie,” says India, “but you’re supposed to slice it like a sheet cake — in squares instead of triangles.”
Basic birthday cakes can be ordered 24 to 48 hours in advance, but custom orders should be made several weeks — and ideally a full month — in advance. Cake designs vary, but India insists she can accommodate most requests. To place an order, call or send a direct message through Instagram.
The bakery’s large garage doors open to a whimsical, welcoming interior.
Parking at the bakery is limited, with just two take-out spots offered at the shop. But public parking lots are available across and just down the street.
If you go on the weekend, you’re likely to see young Asia quietly assisting her mom in the kitchen or the prep area.
“She knows the recipes, so she’s not afraid to jump in and help with the baking,” India says.
When it comes to long-term aspirations, India hopes the bakery will be a place to provide a memorable measure of sweet joy for years to come.
“We have a saying here at Asia’s that small businesses are nothing without community, and communities are nothing without small businesses.”
asiascakes.com
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