The Story Behind the Social Cupcake, a New Spot in Seal Beach

EDITOR'S NOTE: A new cupcakery has come to Seal Beach. Submitted by owner Natalie Dwyer, the story that ends in sweet treats actually begins with her grandfather.

After being separated for five years from his wife and son during World War II, Walter Scott immigrated to the United States. 

He rejoined his wife, Minette, who had been working as a live-in housekeeper to provide for their young son. Like many who were called to war, Walter had abandoned his career and left his homeland of Belgium to fulfill his obligation to the English Royal Navy.  

After serving as a riveter in England during World War II, Walter found his way into the real estate business in Southern California.  With the encouragement of his wife, they purchased a few properties and began leasing them. They custom built cabinets and performed weekly vacation rental cleanings themselves to make ends meet. 

Flash forward almost 70 years to 2014. Walter, Minnette and their son Donald have passed. But their work ethic and persistence lives on through the life of their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  

For the locals of Seal Beach, this is evident by the rejuvenation of 907 Ocean Ave. The property that many believed to be vacant for years between Bogart’s and El Burrito Jr. is now The Social Cupcake. 

Natalie Dwyer, the granddaughter of Walter Scott along with her cousin, David Welle, opened The Social Cupcake on April 1.

“It was a quiet opening,” says Scott. "We knew the locals had long awaited us, as we did them. We wanted to give ourselves time to perfect our cupcakes and service. We have been greeted with open arms by many and we feel so blessed to be part of a community that holds such pride in their small business downtown area.”  

Natalie and her other partner Kian Clineff had worked as social workers for 13 years and decided that their heart in service to others did not need to stop with the opening of an entrepreneur business.  

The Social Cupcake offers not just sumptuous cupcakes, but also a quick inventive menu such as the already popular vegetable panini and turkey dog.

Meanwhile, there are 26 different cupcake flavors that rotate on a weekly basis.  Wednesdays is their nonprofit day where they introduce a new cupcake flavor and a portion of those proceeds are returned to the designated nonprofit.  

The Social Cupcake is a proud supporter of Operation Help a Hero, Los Alamitos Education Foundation, Orange County Rescue Mission and The Dave Thomas Foundation. 

The Social Cupcake welcomes the Seal Beach community to their quaint to go window to try a unique spin on food and a fresh cupcake treat!