Eva's To Go went, but caramel cakes are back

A popular west Knoxville restaurant is making a comeback, one caramel cake at a time.

In October of 2008, Eva's To Go served its last meals, citing the recession. With the closing went the restaurant's famous caramel cakes.

"When it closed, heartbreak. We don't get the famous caramel cake anymore," said customer Susan Roberts.

"I froze two and kept them, and when I ate the last bite of the last one I was so sad," customer Tommy Schmid said.

However, the days without caramel cake have come to an end.

While cake may seem an odd partner to fine women's attire, Eva's owner, Cindy Lay, says pairing up with her friend and fellow small business owner, Babs Richardson, makes perfect sense.

Babs Richardson owns Betsy & Babs Boutique, a clothing and trinket store on Kingston Pike in Bearden, where the cakes went on sale Monday morning.

"You gotta think outside the box. The past year to 18 months has been a huge strain on all small business owners," Lay said. "We have the same customers, same target market, same sense of quality."

"Sometimes you do have to just break the mold, do something different, cause people to say, 'That's an interesting combination'," Richardson said. "It's a way for us to partner and support each other. It brings people in. People love food."

Richardson's predictions proved correct. The cakes brought customers into her store all morning.

"Oh, look at them! Oh my God!" shouted Annie Krueger who stopped into Betsy & Babs for the first time. "[The cakes are] famous. I love it."

"It's a famous Knoxville tradition," Roberts said.

"I'll have one for Christmas. I'm so excited they're back," Schmid said.

The cakes are first come, first served. To place an order, call (865) 583-0990 or stop by Betsy & Babs Boutique at 5036 Kingston Pike.