Happy Bakeshop, the Highlands bakery that started life as Happy Cakes, has quietly called it quits after nearly 20 years in business. The counters at the West 32nd Avenue shop went dark earlier this month as owners prepared to wind down operations, leaving regulars to say goodbye to a long-running neighborhood staple.
Owners Cite 'Personal Circumstances' And Launch Fundraiser
In a GoFundMe set up by co-owner Miguel Chavez, the owners wrote, "With a heavy heart, due to personal circumstances, we have decided to close our doors." The fundraiser states that donations will help cover transition costs for the bakery's staff and family, and the page shows a small amount raised toward a $4,000 goal. Chávez is listed as the organizer and launched the campaign on April 30.
New Owners Took The Reins In February
On February 19, the shop's own Happy Bakeshop blog announced that Fayth Hernandez and Miguel Chavez had purchased Happy Bakeshop. They said they intended to “honor the shop’s legacy while looking toward its future,” keeping many of the existing favorites on the menu while trying out new items. The bakery’s About page traces the business back to the mid-2000s cupcake boom and lists its address as 3621 W. 32nd Avenue in the Highlands. In both posts, the new owners describe their tenure as stewardship of an established neighborhood spot rather than a full-scale reinvention.
Started By Three Friends In Denver's Cupcake Wave
Happy Bakeshop began as Happy Cakes, launched by Laura Reynolds, Sara Bencomo, and Lisa Herman during Denver’s early gourmet cupcake wave, according to Westword. Over time, the bakery picked up local accolades and some national mentions and became a go-to stop in the Highlands for celebration cakes, cupcakes, and macarons. Its change of hands in recent years has been one piece of a broader reshuffling on the block, with neighbors watching to see which longtime names stick around and which move on.
Highlands Dining Shuffle Keeps West 32nd In Flux
Happy Bakeshop’s closure follows other recent moves on West 32nd. Bonanno Concepts’ small concept, Dumplin', served its last meals in mid-April as the Bonannos pivot to a larger project in Larimer Square. BusinessDen reports that Happy Bakeshop shuttered earlier this month and notes that previous owner Liane Heggy bought the bakery in 2018 before selling it to the current operators. The outlet also reports that owners and staff have been posting updates on social media as they close out operations.
Beyond the blog post and the fundraiser, the owners have not shared a broader public statement. Their GoFundMe invites community support for the staff as they navigate the transition. Supporters who want to help can donate through that page or keep an eye on the bakery's official channels for any final updates. For now, the Highlands has one fewer cupcake case lighting up the block.
