Two Businesswomen Bring the Sweet Life to Abingdon with ‘Couture’ Treats

ABINGDON, Va. — Have you ever craved a milkshake that’s not just delicious, but a work of art? Well, two savvy businesswomen in Abingdon have made that dream a reality. Meet Cassie Rowe and Kitzi Manuel, the dynamic duo behind Shaked! — a trendy dessert shop that’s been shaking things up since it opened its doors on May 1, 2023.

Combining their love for sweets with entrepreneurial spirit, Rowe and Manuel’s journey began with two separate retail businesses on Abingdon’s Main Street. Rowe, the brains behind Abingdon Gifting Company for seven years, and Manuel, who runs Love & Light Specialty Boutique (now Emporium of Abingdon), found common ground in their love for culinary creativity.

“We do bakes and couture milkshakes,” said Rowe, who added that every shake is designed with a lot of effort and love — hence the ‘couture’ in the name.

These aren’t your everyday milkshakes. Some are topped with cherries, and others with chocolate or even s’mores, tailored to meet the diverse tastes of their customers who travel from as far as Kingsport, Tennessee, and Marion, Virginia, just to get a taste.

“Even though parking is tough, we do get a lot of visitors who come solely for us,” said Rowe, who grew up in Meadowview and graduated from Patrick Henry High School in 2010.

The pair’s different yet complementary backgrounds have played a big role in their success. Rowe initially dreamed of opening a bakery, while Manuel always imagined herself running an ice-cream shop. This collaboration has turned out to be a match made in dessert heaven.

“I grew up in restaurants,” said Manuel, who graduated from Holton High School in 2001. “My parents owned and operated several restaurants. My mom was a baker.” According to Manuel, her mom’s dessert passion influenced her love for baking, although she finds ice cream to be just plain fun.

“We get excited to see people just literally run to get their ice cream, especially the big shakes — the couture shakes.” She adds that seeing the joy on their customers’ faces is the best part of the job.

The shop’s unique shakes, such as “Virginia is for Lovers” and “Campfire by the Creeper,” highlight local flavors and add a creative twist to traditional treats. With their first anniversary approaching, Shaked! is planning to roll out the red carpet for guests during the Virginia Highlands Festival and support the upcoming Clint Black concert at the Moonlite Theatre along Lee Highway on Aug. 3.

For Rowe and Manuel, Shaked! isn’t just a business venture. It’s a place where sweet treats meet heartfelt creativity, and every shake crafted is an expression of their love for the community and its people. Despite the challenges of running a business on a bustling street, their innovative recipes and engaging personalities keep customers coming back for more.

“We feel like, on Main Street, we are a stand-alone operation,” said Rowe as she expressed her excitement for their growing customer base. Shaked! has a promising future, grounded in its ability to bring joy through a simple yet artistically designed treat.

So if you ever find yourself walking down Main Street in Abingdon, craving something sweet and extraordinary, you now know where to go. Shaked! is more than just a dessert shop; it’s a haven for those who appreciate the finer, sweeter things in life. And who knows? You might just find yourself running, not walking, to get a taste of their couture creations.

Stay tuned for more from these creative connoisseurs of sweet treats. One thing’s for sure — they have a knack for keeping Abingdon’s sweet tooth happily satisfied.