iced | the upstate cupcake cafe

ICED has been lovingly developed by the mother-daughter team of Ellen and Courtney Tessler. Courtney began dreaming about owning a café at the age of eleven. Ten years ago that dream led her to a career in restaurants and the hospitality industry. Courtney has studied culinary arts and holds Business Management and Entrepreneurship degrees.

When Ellen visited a cupcake shop while on a trip to Chicago in June 2007, she realized cupcakes were just what Greenville needed. She called Courtney before she even finished her cupcake. The shop in Chicago, like many others, was only a small cupcake bakery primarily for carry out orders but Ellen knew it would be so much better if customers could also have a place to relax or visit with friends and have a good cup of coffee or tea to go with a great cupcake.

Their biggest supporter and inspiration has been Grandma Florence Tessler. For more than 60 years Grandma has been baking her special cakes with butter cream icing for family events, special occasions, and just because they make people smile.

Upstate Cupcake was incorporated in July 2007. In the eleven months it took to actually open ICED, Ellen and Courtney tested and tasted dozens of cupcakes and icings, and carefully planned the location, design, and operation of their cupcake café.