Sophisticated whimsy is the best way to describe Marie Antoinettes Cupcake Parlor. The new cupcakery opened Tuesday in the ballroom of the Bankers Suite, the 1924 building that once housed the Astoria National Bank.

Trish Bright and her husband bought the Bankers Suite building six years ago and renovated it, restoring the vintage feel and renting the space out for weddings and other special events.

The cupcake parlor is a collaborative business venture between Bright and Lisa Clement, of Clementes restaurant, who has catered events in the Bankers Suite. Turning the ballroom on the first floor with its chandeliers, gold and blue wallpaper and hardwood floors into a cupcakery was an easy decision.

We always wanted to do something together, Bright said. One day I said to Lisa, Lets open a cupcake parlor, and she just smiled and said, I was going to say the same thing.

We thought it would be a great addition to Astoria and be something really unique, Clement said.

Clement and third collaborator Holly Brause developed the cupcake recipes over the past three months, and they bake the cupcakes fresh daily on site. Brauses family owns a farm that supplies fresh ingredients to Clementes, and its edible flowers can be found on some of the new parlors cupcakes.

The kitchen was busy late Monday night and early Tuesday morning in preparation for the grand opening. Clement estimated they would sell 300 cupcakes in addition to the free mini cupcake samples.

Its a huge preparation, Clement said. All three of us are perfectionists, so its really important to all of us that they look perfect.

Bright said the Bankers Suite building shared similar aesthetics with Marie Antoinette fashion, which inspired the name of the business.

I just love the Marie Antoinette style, Bright said. Its just a fun theme, and everybody recognizes it.

The name and theme of the cupcakery drew some elegant visitors at the grand opening. LaRee Johnson of Astoria, friend of Bright and author of the book Ladies Vintage Accessories, showed up with some friends dressed in a full-skirted hoop gown, complete with lace, powdered face and hat.

Portland Hat Museum curator Alyce Cornyn-Selby visited Astoria specifically for the cupcakerys opening and the chance to dress up.

I think this facility is amazing, Cornyn-Selby said. I wish it was in Portland.

The building and its decorations arent the only thing to attract customers.

We came for the cupcakes, Tammi Goodearl, of Gearhart, said. She and friend Debbie Fitzgerald, of Seaside, visited Astoria for the grand opening.

The cupcake parlor will serve six standard flavors and a seventh special flavor that will change every Wednesday.

We wanted to just make one product and make it really well, Bright said of the choice to focus on cupcakes.

The signature Marie Antoinette cupcake is a sour cream cake filled with lemon curd and topped with toasted meringue. The chocolate rosette cupcake is a guittard dark chocolate cake adorned with dark chocolate ganache rosettes. And for those who prefer something less sweet, the cupcakery will also offer a savory bacon and cheddar cupcake topped with an herb cream cheese frosting.

The cupcakery serves espresso and coffee by Portland-based Stumptown Coffee Roasters.

In the fall, Bright plans to start offering a more formal addition to the cupcakery on Sundays on the second floor of the Bankers Suite. Coffee, tea and champagne will be served by reservation only.

Marie Antoinettes Cupcake Parlor is located at 1215 Duane St. It will be open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.