Local residents looking for a place to satisfy their dessert craving can find their fix at Manny’s Sweet Treats, a gelato and dessert spot that recently opened at 156 Jericho Tpke. But more than just a haven for sugar lovers, Manny’s co-owner and manager Hector Carvalho said the store will offer something for everyone.
“We have a little bit of everything for everybody,” Carvalho said. “We want to please the kid and the kid within the adult. We want to satisfy everybody.”
Carvalho has already made his way in the Mineola business community as a general manager at Churrasqueira Bairrada, which is owned by his step-father Manny Carvalho, the namesake for the sweet shop and face on the store’s logo.
The younger Carvalho has big dreams for the shop, hoping to soon sell candy by the pound as well as incorporating unique recipes for their desserts and milkshakes. In addition to gelato (made in-house), Manny’s also offers crepes, waffles, pastries, milkshakes, teas and sodas. In the coming month, he’s hoping to expand the flavor options to include nontraditional choices such as Nutella waffles and Heavenly Whites gelato, which draws from the popular dessert offering at Churrasqueira Bairrada.
An avid traveler, Carvalho drew inspiration from dessert spots in Portugal, Italy and Greece, as well as New York City when planning the décor and menu offerings.
“People have come in and said they feel like they’re in New York City, and that’s what I want,” Carvalho said. “I want you to escape, I don’t want you to feel like you’re in Mineola.”
Noting the various empty storefronts along Jericho Turnpike, Carvalho said he hopes that the sweet shop can draw more people to the area, pointing to Hillside Avenue in Williston Park as an example.
“I feel this is an upcoming town. There’s a lot of work to be done,” he said. “There are so many empty locations and we want to revitalize the town and bring life to it. That’s why we’re open so late. We want to be the place to hang out.”
Though still in its opening month, the shop has met with success, especially in the evening hours. And with all of Carvalho’s ideas, the future looks bright for this Jericho Turnpike sweet shop.
“We’re doing well so far, especially at nights, we’re packed,” he said.
Find out more about Manny’s Sweet Treats at www.facebook.com/MannysSweetTreats.
