'Sinful Treats' Experiencing Success, Expanding Operations in Elk Grove

Sinful Treats owner Mariel Black. 

When Elk Grove resident Mariel Black made some Holiday treats for family and friends a few years back little did she know it would lead to a successful and expanding Elk Grove based-business. 

As owner of Sinful Treats, Black said she was encouraged by her husband Derek. The inspiration came after Derek enjoyed a desert bar called "Food for the Gods." 

Black noted that her husband at times can be a very picky eater. "For him to say 'you should sell this,' that was a sign," she said.

Along with her "Food for the Gods" desert bars, Black developed several other desert items, many of them inspired two aunts, Juanita and Victoria, both of whom are from the Philippines. In total she developed over a dozen different deserts with several of them Filipino inspired.

Initially the treats were sold to local restaurants and online while operating out of rented commercial restaurant space. After three years of increasing sales, Black said it was time for her to expand.

"It was getting to the point were I can't make it happen sharing a kitchen," Black said. "Its been growing consistently."

As part of her expansion, Black has taken a big step and as of earlier this month, leased space on Whitelock Parkway that formerly was a coffee house and a meals to go service. Although the space is in a retail center, Black said that she does not immediately plan a retail operation and will continue to focus on online sales.

Elk Grove economic development director Randy Starbuck noted thriving small businesses like Sinful Treats are the backbone of new employment opportunities and economic development. "We are extremely pleased to see new businesses, like Sinful Treats, grow, open and expand here, all the while bringing more jobs to Elk Grove," Starbuck said.

While much of her online business is in California and specifically in the Bay Area, she has developed many new customers as far away as Connecticut, Michigan, Virginia and New York. Aside from the desert bars, Black is expanding her product line to include breakfast pastries, cookies and pies.

With the Holiday season accounting for a major part of her annual sales, Black said moving into her own kitchen should help expand business. "I am very exited," she said.

To order, visit Sinful Treats here.