Critters Take the Cake

LUBBOCK, Texas — United Supermarkets featured “critter” cakes recently at a chainwide, well-publicized Cake Walk/Cake-A-Rama. The double-layer cakes, decorated by associates in the chain's in-store bakeries, were made to look like critters, from cats and dogs to monkeys, frogs and bumblebees. Each hour, from noon to 5, a critter cake was given away. Here's how it worked: On the hour, customers were invited to choose a cupcake from a large tray. The person who chose a cupcake with a star on the bottom of its wrapper was awarded a free critter cake. Meanwhile, all afternoon, children were served hot chocolate from the store's Peet's Coffee Bar. United's Dallas-Fort Worth regional marketing manager, Courtney Tolbert, said the day's event went very well, with high attendance, and a lot of critter cakes sold at $5.99 each.