HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – The world's largest cupcake company may have crumbled last month, but Huntsville's first and only cupcake truck is thriving and plans to unveil a second vehicle next week in Madison and at Redstone Arsenal.

Sugar Belle, which Andrew and Lee Judge launched in early February 2013, recently purchased a 2000 Ford high-top van that is better suited for driving long distances than the couple's gas-guzzling mid-80s commercial RV.

The bright-teal van will feature Sugar Belle's iconic smiling cupcake, with hot pink rims to match.

"After we've spent a year driving our old Army behemoth ... we'd like to have something that's smaller, better on gas mileage, mechanically easier to take care of and something that's really great for events," Andrew said.

Sugar Belle's silver flagship truck, which has operated in front of Below the Radar in downtown Huntsville the last seven months, is pulling out of that area to complete maintenance and kitchen upgrades so it can become a fully-functioning mobile bakery.

Andrew said downtown construction and a lack of power and parking at the undeveloped lot on 225 Holmes Ave. N.E. have posed challenges for Sugar Belle.

"It was fun to begin with," he said. "It was just really noisy during the day. There was a lot of dust and trash coming into that area from construction. That doesn't make it any more desirable for people to come by."

Until the truck is back in service later this month, Andrew and Lee are searching for a permanent parking space, which they hope will have utilities and a small patio area. To submit your recommendations for Sugar Belle's next location, visit the food truck's Facebook page or email them at info@sugarbelletruck.com.

Andrew said they spoke with a couple of business owners who were ready to plan a centralized food truck park in Cummings Research Park, but the idea was never realized because the area wasn't zoned for food trucks.

Sugar Belle is in talks with the city of Huntsville about developing a food truck park so residents can find all their favorite mobile eateries in one spot.

NPD Group reports cupcake servings dipped 1 percent in the year leading up to April 2014, compared to an 8 percent jump in servings during the same period in 2011.

For Sugar Belle, cupcakes are still an essential American dessert that customers love. When upgrades on the flagship truck are complete, Andrew and Lee will have more freedom to diversify the menu to include other foods.

"I wasn't sure how well we could sustain just a food truck cupcake business on its own, but it's been much better than I could've anticipated," Andrew said.

Paul Lester, who recently purchased Something Sweet Bake Shop in Daphne with his wife, said Crumbs' decision to close is not indicative of all cupcake businesses.

He said location can make a world of difference.

"The type of economic market can also be very impactful," he said.

Send Lucy Berry an email at lberry@al.com.