As for the “boutique-ness” of the cupcakes, at $3 a pop, it’s really up to personal judgement. Yes, you can, for $4 get your sugar high on over-processed food at Safeway (I think there is a need for a “real” grocery store, even a “light” version closer to downtown), but if you’ve had quality (say, in NYC, the Big Apple Pie Company), you can recognize the taste and texture over store-bought and even home made. You have to realize that business like this exist for the “treat” aspect, as well as those to inconvenienced (or lazy) to make their own. While I can spend $3 on a box of mix and make it at home in 30 minutes, or spend an hour plus making stuff from scratch… I’d be left with a dozen or more cupcakes that are 1) not healthy to eat in any quantity, and 2) a quantity that may go stale before I finish it.

With that said, if your friend has good $5 popsicles, with say, home made ice cream, it may be worth it… especially with the paltry selection of options downtown…