New Gourmet Dessert Shop Holds Ribbon-Cutting In Greenwich

GREENWICH, CT — Cos Cob got all the sweeter Thursday afternoon when Chocoylatte Gourmet officially opened its doors to the public during a grand opening celebration. First Selectman Peter Tesei and State Representative Fred Camillo (R-151st) were in attendance for the new gourmet dessert and coffee shop's ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Located at 121 E. Putnam Avenue, the shop was originally scheduled to hold the ceremony earlier this month, however electrical issues delayed the official opening. As a result, the store has actually been operating under a soft opening for the past week.

"It's wonderful that you've chosen Cos Cob as the place for your very distinctive, delicious dessert café," Tesei said prior to cutting the ribbon in front of the store. "This is a place that's unique, a place that can bring people together in our community...we wish you tremendous success as a family business opening here."

Camillo, who said he grew up a few blocks away from the store's location, echoed Tesei's excitement and wished owner Kelly Dantas and her husband, Ken Mahoney, the best of luck.

"Growing up, there were a lot of mom and pop stores [in Cos Cob], and we've seen them somewhat diminish," Camillo said, "so when I see one open up, especially with people like Kelly and her husband, it makes me really happy."

He also took notice of the large crowd that had gathered for the ceremony.

"I think they're going to do very well here," Camillo said. "They seem to have a great following, and they couldn't be in a better place than in the heart of Cos Cob."

See also: New Gourmet Dessert, Coffee Shop To Open In Greenwich

The new shop is a passion project for Dantas, who said she was both "nervous" and "very excited" to finally be open for business after five years of work.

"It was a long project," Dantas said, "but we are happy to be here and happy to be in this community. I'm treating this [shop] sort of like a lab. Everything that I've researched for five years, we are trying here. We want to make sure that the customers like it."

She also was happy Tesei and Camillo were able to attend the opening ceremony and help welcome customers into the store.

"I feel honored to have both of them here on the same day," Dantas said. "The whole community is amazing. As a resident, I couldn't imagine opening any other place. I wanted our first store to be here, and I've been really happy with everything that has happened."

According to Dantas, the idea for the shop came from a desire to open a place where families could enjoy desserts that taste as good as they look. When it came to planning and creating Chocoylatte Gourmet, she developed all of the recipes and the overall concept of the store herself.

Dantas described the shop as a "grab-and-go" experience, offering a huge assortment of chocolates, candies, cookies and other dessert items. Traditional coffee, flavored coffee creations, teas, hot chocolate and fresh juices are also on the menu.

The store occupies a corner lot that has been completely renovated to replicate a European-looking café. There is also an 8-foot tall chocolate fountain and a 60-inch chandelier that was custom-made from teacups.

"I wanted to do something traditional but also bring a little bit of a European style here," Dantas said to Patch earlier this month. "I would call it a traditional, old-European style."

After the ribbon cutting ceremony, Dantas and her husband spent time talking with Tesei, Camillo and others who attended the ceremony.

Jenny Larkin attended the event with her grandson and said they were surprised by the store's wide selection of gourmet items.

"We're very excited that there's going to be a good place to buy chocolate here," Larkin said. "I'm also excited that it's a local business. We live just over the hill, so we walked here today. It's a beautiful day for an opening."