The Cheesecake Slice Expands to Wisconsin Rapids Shop

Local baker opens first brick-and-mortar location after years of home-based success.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 5:50pm

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A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration featuring multiple repeating images of a single slice of cheesecake in a grid pattern, using a vibrant neon color palette and heavy black outlines to transform the everyday dessert into a modern pop art piece.The vibrant, pop art-inspired visual celebrates the expansion of a beloved local bakery from home-based to brick-and-mortar.McFarland Today

After building a loyal following through years of home-based baking, The Cheesecake Slice has expanded its operations by opening its first brick-and-mortar storefront in Wisconsin Rapids. The new shop will allow the business to reach a wider customer base and offer an expanded menu of cheesecake flavors and other baked goods.

Why it matters

The Cheesecake Slice's expansion represents a growing trend of small, local food businesses transitioning from home-based operations to establishing a physical retail presence. This shift can help strengthen community ties, create new jobs, and provide greater access to unique, artisanal products for consumers.

The details

The Cheesecake Slice was founded several years ago by Wisconsin native Samantha Wilkins, who began baking cheesecakes out of her home kitchen. After developing a devoted customer base through online and local farmers market sales, Wilkins decided to take the next step and open a dedicated shop in downtown Wisconsin Rapids. The new location will allow Wilkins to increase production, offer a wider variety of cheesecake flavors, and sell other baked goods like cookies and pies.

  • The Cheesecake Slice was founded several years ago.
  • The new Wisconsin Rapids shop opened on March 15, 2026.

The players

The Cheesecake Slice

A local bakery that started as a home-based business and has now expanded to open its first brick-and-mortar shop in Wisconsin Rapids.

Samantha Wilkins

The founder of The Cheesecake Slice, who began baking cheesecakes out of her home kitchen and has now opened the company's first retail location.

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What they’re saying

“I'm so excited to finally have a physical space to share my cheesecakes with the community. This has been a dream of mine for a long time.”

— Samantha Wilkins, Founder, The Cheesecake Slice

What’s next

The Cheesecake Slice plans to host a grand opening celebration at the new Wisconsin Rapids shop on April 5, 2026, featuring free samples, live music, and special discounts.

The takeaway

The Cheesecake Slice's expansion from a home-based operation to a dedicated retail location demonstrates the growing consumer demand for locally-sourced, artisanal baked goods. This transition can help small businesses like The Cheesecake Slice reach new customers and solidify their place within the community.