Country Club Plaza to get locally owned gelato shop. Flavors include lemon basil
The local founder and owner of the Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery chain is bringing a new dessert concept to the Country Club Plaza.
Southern Charm Gelato Shoppe is scheduled to open in mid-to-late June in the former L'Occitane spot at 511 Nichols Road.
The gelato shop will feature such flavors such as Georgia Peach, Florida Coconut, Lemon Basil, Strawberry Rosé, and Peanut Butter Crunch — made in small batches in-house daily. Locations also are planned for Atlanta and Scottsdale, Ariz.
Founder Jeff Martin opened his first Smallcakes in 2009. The shops offer 205 rotating flavors and 15 flavors of small-batch ice cream based on the cupcake flavors.
Martin is now CEO and founder of Sweet Brands International, which currently oversees the 270 Smallcakes shops, nearly all owned by franchisees, and Decadent-A Coffee and Dessert Bar in Overland Park's Prairiefire.
He wrote "Buttercream Dreams: Small Cakes, Big Scoops and Sweet Treats," a cookbook and that weaves in tales of his entrepreneurial journey. He also has appeared on the Food Network's "Cupcake Wars" (Seasons 1, 2, and 7).
In a statement, Meredith Keeler, general manager of the Plaza, said: "We are pleased to welcome the area’s first Southern Charm Gelato Shoppe to Country Club Plaza. We are sure our customers will enjoy this yummy and unique addition to our lineup."
L'Occitane closed in early 2017 after a decade on the Plaza. It also has a store in Overland Park's Oak Park Mall.
This story was originally published May 18, 2018 at 1:24 PM with the headline "Country Club Plaza to get locally owned gelato shop. Flavors include lemon basil."