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Cakes, Cookies, and Crooks: How This Small Columbus Bakery Was Defrauded — And How You Can Help Them Fight Back

Eat & Drink, Food & Drink News, For A Good Cause

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Written by Step Out Columbus
Published on March 24, 2025
Photos courtesy of Sugar Rush Columbus – Bakery and Bar

When you think of world-class bakeries, you probably picture Paris patisseries or trendy New York cake shops. But one of the most impressive dessert spots we’ve ever seen is right here in Central Ohio.

Sugar Rush Columbus has been turning heads with jaw-dropping cakes, picture-perfect cookies, and a passion for baking that you can literally taste. Whether it’s a hyper-realistic Jack Daniel’s barrel cake or a Taylor Swift Eras Tour-inspired masterpiece, their creations are nothing short of edible art.

But even the most talented and hardworking small business owners aren’t immune to the darker side of entrepreneurship.

Fraudulent Activity Detected

In a Facebook post on March 18th, Sugar Rush shared a heartbreaking update with their followers: They were defrauded by the third-party financial management company they hired to help run the backend of their business. According to the bakery’s owners, that company failed to pay vendors and creditors — and then vanished with their money.

No contact. No trace.

“We’ve taken the necessary steps, including filing police reports and involving other law enforcements [sic],” the owners wrote in a public statement. “But unfortunately, it’s not just a few dollars taken and [it] will take quite some time to recover the funds (if we ever get [them] back).”

For a small business that’s already working insane hours to handcraft custom cakes and baked goods, this kind of blow can be devastating. But despite the setback, Sugar Rush isn’t giving up.

Photos courtesy of Sugar Rush Columbus – Bakery and Bar

How to Support Sugar Rush Columbus Right Now

If you want to help, there are two big things you can do:

1. Visit the bakery

Seriously. Go in person, order something sweet, and treat yourself while supporting a hardworking local team that truly deserves it. Their baked goods are on another level — beautiful, delicious, and made with heart.

📍 8114 E Broad St, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068,

🕙 Tue – Sun 10 AM – 8 PM

2. Donate to their GoFundMe.

Their website designer, Shankar Ramachandran, set up a fundraiser to help Sugar Rush stay afloat during this rough patch while they fight to recover the stolen funds. Every little bit helps, and if you can’t donate, sharing the link goes a long way. 👇

Why It Matters

Columbus is built on the grit and creativity of small businesses like Sugar Rush. These are the folks who stay up until 3 a.m. perfecting your custom cake. Who take pride in every sprinkle, every swirl of frosting, and every smiling customer that walks through the door.

They deserve better. And right now, they need us.

So whether you’re a die-hard dessert lover or just someone who believes in supporting good people during tough times, now’s the time to show up.

Because let’s be honest — a city without Sugar Rush is just plain sour.

Be the first to know about which struggling small businesses you should visit by subscribing to our newsletter here 👉 Step Out Columbus Newsletter

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