More on Sylvan Beach
I may not have learned anything more about Phat Pug for you, but here's the latest from Patrick McArdle, chairman of the Sylvan Beach Foundation, who apparently reads this blog, or at least read your comments about the two locations that sell ice cream. ...
"The Sylvan Beach Foundation has operated out of 7 W. Preston Street since 1999. We have tried several business models over the years including ice cream, coffee, catering, and a lunch cafe. We learned, mostly through trial and error, that this lack of business focus was not serving our young men well.
"Going forward, we will be focusing on making our award winning super premium ice cream. This upcoming year will see the development of a new ice cream brand that Baltimoreans will be proud to call their own. I am unable to give detailed information at this time, but it will include a re-branding and expanded retail opportunities.
"The 7 W. Preston Street location mentioned in the comment of your blog is owned by the foundation. So, while we are not currently in a position to reveal the plans for the cafe on the first floor, we continue to make our ice cream at that location, our offices remain there, as does the residential portion of the Sylvan Beach Foundation. Our Mt. Washington scoop shop is currently open on the weekends until the spring time when hours will be expanded.
"We specifically want to thank the Baltimore community, both individuals and local foundations, for continuing to support the mission of Sylvan Beach. We are truly blessed to work with some great young men from Baltimore City and to have great customers who 'get' our mission."
(Photo by Chiaki Kawajiri)
Comments
Glad to hear the nonprofit is staying in Mount Vernon, even if the coffee/hot beverage side is down for the count, with the official statement coming just a few months after a Starbucks opens nearby. It's definitely better to change business plans than wait for the bigger corporation run them out of business.
What do people think of the coffee shop on Cathedral Street, about half a block north of Dukem?
Posted by: Dancing Monkey | January 27, 2008 8:02 AM
The Sylvan Beach cake batter ice cream may well be the greatest food product in the universe. Their chocolate is a close second.
Posted by: Sean | January 28, 2008 9:03 AM
Their Key Lime ice cream is the best ice cream I've ever had. And what a great organization for Balt. A business that sells awesome ice cream and gives back to the community? We need more projects like this. I believe they cater ice cream events so if anyone needs something fun for the work place or a party I suggest an ice cream social from Sylvan. A friend served the key lime at her wedding and it was huge hit.
Posted by: rp | January 28, 2008 2:11 PM
Elizabeth, I've got to ask: when was this Sylvan Beach photo taken? It stopped me in my tracks....bc it looks EXACTLY like me from the back... Back in the UB days, i spent many an hour lunching and coffee-stalking the counters of SB. A surprise flashback? Or an evil twin?
It was taken in 2002. But wouldn't you remember a Sun photographer there even after all this time?
Posted by: Aussiewonder | January 28, 2008 4:50 PM