Two Downtown businesses form sweet partnership
Two Phoenix shops near the Downtown campus are sharing space in attempts to combat the local business slump.
The Sweetness, opening Friday inside Fair Trade Café on Roosevelt Street and Central Avenue, aims to bring local ice cream to a shop that’s already a staple of downtown Phoenix.
Jesse Robinson, 32, is the owner of The Sweetness. He lives near the café and became a regular there after returning to his hometown of Phoenix from a stay of seven years in Boston.
“I was struck by how loyal and dedicated people were to their ice cream in Boston,” Robinson said. “There were multiple privately owned ice cream shops and people would go to them even when it was snowing.”
Robinson wanted to bring the northeastern ice cream culture back to Phoenix. He described the downtown area as having a few frozen yogurt shops and Cold Stone Creamery, but nothing in the way of private ice cream.
Robinson began talking more and more about opening his own shop. He discussed it with the baristas and owners of Fair Trade Café, with whom he became friends.
“I became so used to (Boston’s ice cream business) that I felt like something was missing when I moved back to Phoenix,” Robinson said.
Fair Trade Café owner Stephanie Vasquez, 33, said she thought the businesses would work well together.
“We always talk about supporting local business, and this seemed like a no-brainer,” Vasquez said.
Robinson had a meeting with Vasquez’s co-owner, Michele Lavis-White, at the beginning of the summer and they planned on an opening in late August or early September, when ASU students returned to downtown Phoenix. A personal health scare for Robinson delayed the opening until November.
Robinson said it all worked out for the best.
“The timing with First Friday is perfect,” he said. “It’s finally cool outside, all the students are back and this is one of Fair Trade’s biggest nights of the year.
How Much Is Coldstone Ice Cream - News
Robinson wanted to bring the northeastern ice cream culture back to Phoenix. He described the downtown area as having a few frozen yogurt shops and Cold Stone Creamery, but nothing in the way of private ice cream. Robinson began talking more and more
Much thought was put into this creation as the amount of caramel and fudge added into the ice cream is perfect – neither too sweet not too insubtantial. Word has it that Cold Stone creators remain particular about the quality and variety of ingredients
Marisa Ybarra-Reyes, director of operations at Cold Stone Creamery in Pikesville, said cake-batter ice cream is a favorite flavor year-round. Summer may be over, but ice cream is always a hot treat. Cold Stone Creamery serves cool confections every day
Downtown Hinsdale's lone ice cream-only vendor Cold Stone Creamery is closing its doors this week to the disappointment of village staff, but Director of Community Development Tim Scott said he's