Haagen-Dazs Closes, Tasty Crepes Takes Location

No more Mint Chip Dazzlers, Bailey's chocolate shakes or banana splits.

The Haagen-Dazs at the corner of Park Avenue and Merrick Road has closed after a decade of service to the village, and the closure has cleared the path for the opening of Tasty Crepes in its former location.

Julie Fleigle, a Haagen-Dazs brand manager, said she couldn't discuss why the particular location closed down, but explained that the ice cream chain offers ten-year leases to individual franchise owners, and that sometimes those franchises turn over after a decade. "It's just the cycle of the business," she said.

The owner of the Merrick Road Haagen-Dazs could not be reached for comment.

Frantz Arty, managing partner of the new Tasty Crepes, said he thinks the store's concept will attract residents and customers.

"These crepes really caught on in Carle Place," he said. "We're doing crepes because we think there's a hole in the market. People go for what they know – pizza, Chinese food. We feel like we broke the mold."

In culinary circles, crepes are popular for their dessert leanings, but Tasty Crepes will also serve lunch and dinner plates as well. Arty said he wants to keep the doors open late night to attract the surrounding bar crowd, and hopes to be open for business within the coming weeks.

Chamber of Commerce president Larry Siegal said he was excited about the new eatery. "I don't know too much about them," he said. "But any new type of restaurant is a good thing. They should do well."

To keep tabs on Tasty Crepes hours, specials and menu offerings, visit www.tastycrepes.com.