A Sweet Scoop For Allentown
Sweet Tooth is on the move. The ice cream shop is packing its bags and heading down to the northeast corner of Elmwood and Allen. You can look at this move in two different ways... as many of our viewers (through comments) usually do. This is a blessing for the NE corner, but it is also going to leave another vacancy on Elmwood - in a block that has seen its fair share of shop closings. The pros far outweigh the cons in this instance, so while Sweet Tooth's current block will be busy reinventing itself, Allentown will happily welcome a new neighbor and longtime friend of the city.
The addition of a popular ice cream shop in Allentown will turn what is currently a vacant, unkempt eyesore into a vibrant, colorful corner. The location, formerly a pizza joint - formerly a coffee shop - almost another banner-laden market, is exactly the type of corner that Steel refers to when talking about what key ingredients an effective urban area should have. A multiple story building, filled with tenants upstairs and a successful business downstairs is what makes a truly dynamic corner.
Sweet Tooth will continue to conduct business as usual in its new home, selling ice cream, cookies and cakes to customers on the go, or to people who want to enjoy their treats in a seating capacity double the size (40 seats) of its current location.
Sweet Tooth owner, Renee Newton tells me that one of the really neat features, besides the expanded space, will be the ability for passers-by to witness the cakes and desserts being prepared. She will also be applying for an outdoor cafe-patio license. Renee is looking at a May timeline for opening at her new corner and is thrilled at the opportunity to expand into the space that offers two walls of glass for additional exposure.
I stopped in to talk to Tom and Jeff at Eminent Design who could not be happier about the news. Tom is especially glad to see a longtime Elmwood business move into the space. He talked about the ice cream shop being a strong anchor-like destination on a corner that has struggled for years to attract a healthy business. He also sees the move as another bond to strengthen the Elmwood/Allentown business corridor. I am sure that being situated smack between the Elmwood Village Charter School and the Theater of Youth (Allendale) will not hurt business either.
Brian, owner of Cafe Taza, was a bit nervous at first when he heard that an ice cream shop with a coffee counter was moving in next door, but now welcomes the addition and is excited to see the increase of traffic on the block. Renee expressed that she wants to work with Taza towards growing each business and ultimately strengthening the entire corner. This is great news for Allentown for sure.
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Comment Options
chuck
I think you mean the North West corner
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queenseyes
Right!
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dDaniel
I lived in that building for about a year, a long while ago; used to watch the bricks *pop* out from the side of the Allendale, during rainstorms. It's nice to see that store get a steady tenant, finally.
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jeff benjamin
Sweet Tooth is an excellent example of a good, local, specialty business. This corner has been a looser since Deco closed and Sweet Tooth just might be the attraction that could resurrect this very visible location.
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steph
What was Deco?
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Walter
Deco Restaurants...
http://www.buffalohistoryworks.com/deco/
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BCB
I think I am getting the urge for a HOT FUDGE SUNDAY from Sweet Tooth!
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gjhead
Great. Yet another vacancy on my block of Elmwood.
I hope a good coffee shop opens up inthe old space. This block could use something like that.
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jen
I think this is great. I would love to see Allentown built up with more shops. I love how easy things are to walk to in that area, being close. Parking *might* be the only problem, but a minor one.
As for the vacancy, I am sure something will fill their old space. It just needs a strong anchor to fill the rest of the area.
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The Why (Not!) Guy
Hey Arete... wanna go for a "walk?"
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Eric
Why is that block of Elmwood struggling to maintain tenants? I don't understand. Is the landlord raising rents? A real cafe would be a blessing in Sweet Tooth's old space--a real cafe with late hours, ambiance, and quiet spaces to do nothing in.
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Rue B
The location thats being vacated by Sweet Tooth would make a great location for a Cold Stone Creamery or a Maggie Moo's Ice Cream shop: http://www.maggiemoos.com/home/index.cfm
Sure they're both national chains but they'd be right at home and very successful on that block of Elmwood.
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michele
Speaking of Decos does anyone know how many are still standing? I know of the one downtown,
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wilkeson
michele, the one Carl Paldino demolished last year for an unpaved parking lot? On Washington next to the Lafayette Hotel?
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forfabric
Congrats to Sweet Tooth on the new locationOe that corner is quite prominent and will benefit greatly from such a business within. Meanwhile, would the old location be a contenter for the "Vegan guy"? What ever happened with him???
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R. Pierce
There needs to be some real discussion about the section of elmwood that they are leaving, it has many vacancies and the only boarded up building in the elmwood village (old Buffalo Rome)
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david
The other boarded up and derelict property is located at 225 West Utica...
Here's something about it: http://tinyurl.com/ml7oe
It's still standing. Why?
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viking
David Chain owns the corner opposite the proposed hotel at Forest, he also owns the vacate West Delavan location and the most of the entire block from West Utica to the other corner on the west side of the street across from the Cas. David is very astute in his leases and isn't afraid to charge for what he considers prime locations. My guess is the fixer overhead from these locations is calculated to be to much by prospective tenants.
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edward_industry
i couldn't agree more with R. Pierce.... maybe someone with BRO needs to get the scoop and write a story about this block of Elmwood. it's very troubling. even more so with LeMetro for sale too.
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Greg
Dear Sweetooth: Can you Please rethink the interior, decor and design?
I'm thrilled to see that Sweet Tooth has moved into Allentown, and I'm looking forward to seeing Allentown continue to grow in the coming years....
I have to say, though, that I'm VERY disappointed with the feel of the place. The exterior need sprucing up (paint job, a nice sign?) but even more importantly, the interior feels so unwelcoming. I would STRONGLY reccomend some warmer, dimmer lights, and I would definitely ditch the flourescents. (It feels like a bright office supply store inside). I would consult a designer/decorator. Lighting, artwork, comfortable seating (outdoors?) are all just as important as making good ice cream. It'll improve business and it will change the feel of that corner for the better. My concern may sound a little ridiculous, I know, but Sweetooth has the potential to set a certain mood and aesthetic (an advertisement, almost) for Allentown on that very prominent corner, and I think it's a shame that it seems so cold and ugly...
I love Sweetooth and I have gone there for years, so I say this out o concern, not malice. Does anyone else agree?
-a concerned allentown resident
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Anna
As previous poster Greg noted, it wouldn't take much to eliminate those I'm in K-mart style flourescent lights and it would make a world of difference. Softer ambient lighting would allow one to stay longer (and consume more sugar!) as well as spruce up the corner of that block. Also, a sign is needed on the exterior of the Allen St. side (where one can see the lovely cakes being frosted).Please take note Sweet Tooth!
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Renee Newton
Greg and Anna, Thanks for you input. We will finish the exterior before mid August. I agree about lighting. We just need a little time to get cash flow moving. Any investors out there?
I know ambiance needs to be addressed, but I have to put most money into making great products. After all it is all about taste.
Renee Newton Sweet Tooth
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Greg
Dear Renee, Thank you for reading our comments and following up. (A sign of an attentive owner). Of course, that makes sense about cash flow. I didn't mean to come off so critical. It's just that I can see Sweet Tooth really doing great there, and I very much want to see that happen. Thanks again for reading... and good luck! Best, Greg
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