Restaurateurs Bring Sweet Memories to Spring Street
 Sweets & Beans on Spring Street offers candy, ice cream and espresso. |
"It's amazing." " It's delicious." "It's out of this world." That's from a group of teenagers recently as they relished ice cream at Sweets and Beans. It's not just a place to go to for luscious ice cream; it also offers espresso and candy bar features nostalgic treats.
Located at 61-63 Spring St., in Mark Paresky's recently renovated building, Sweets and Beans is owned by business partners Gil Rubinstein and David Aldecoa. Earlier this year, they launched Hops and Vines restaurant at 16 Water St., in the former Mezze space.
Both the business partners possess considerable experience in the restaurant industry. Rubenstein has had ventures in New York City, such as a rooftop bar at the Library Hotel. He also owns a company that does financial consulting for several fine dining restaurants and hotels in New York City.
Aldecoa started out as co-owner of a restaurant in Arizona, and worked as banquet manager and later a food and beverage director at the Essex House Hotel in New York City for a total of seven years.
When a friend approached Rubenstein about "taking over" a certain property on Spring Street, he and Aldecoa, who both were living in New York, traveled to Williamstown several times to assess the property. For a couple of reasons, the deal did not go through, said Rubenstein in an interview. "But we fell in love with the area."
Soon after, they found out the former Mezze building was on the market and decided to embark on their first joint venture, and Hops and Vines was born.
As for Sweets and Beans, Rubenstein said, "The concept evolved as we saw, felt and, most importantly, were educated on what the town needs. There are great dining establishments and businesses in downtown Williamstown and we felt a candy bar would complement, be a great fit for Spring Street."
There has not been a candy store on Spring Street since Goodies burned down in the 1980s, according to information from the Williamstown House of Local History.
"Dave and his daughters are huge fans of nostalgic candy. It appeals to people from the age of 1 to 99," Rubenstein said.
For older folk, the licorice pipes, Sugar Babies, Nesco Mints, Laffy Taffy and Jelly Bellys may stir memories of their childhood when the most difficult decision they faced was which candy to buy with the coin they were grasping in their hand.
A teenaged girl visiting Sweets and Beans for the second day in a row was looking at Whirly Pops and Pixy Sticks. "It's fun to see candies people liked years ago," she said. Unwrapped candy is sold by the pound. Wrapped candy is sold by the pound or by individual pieces.
A retro theme is emphasized throughout the store, with vintage popcorn and soda machines; old-fashioned candy jars; and antique couches and chairs upholstered in shades of red that were purchased at Saddleback Antiques on Route 7.
"My girlfriend Alejandra Lolas designed the store," said Rubenstein. Now, Lolas is manager of the store, and Aldecoa has moved to Williamstown to oversee the operation of Hops and Vines as well as Sweets and Beans. "He is focusing on Hops and Vines — our anchor store — making it successful in a short time."
Sweets and Beans has five employeees and is in the process of hiring two to three more. The ice cream is from SoCo Creamery in Great Barrington and comes in flavors including Berkshire Berry, Dirty Chocolate, Mango and Raspberry. All pastries, including the complimentary biscotti, are made by Jerry McBee, Hops and Vines' pastry chef.
In the fall, Sweets and Beans will offer chocolate fondue, breakfast sandwiches and light lunch, Rubenstein said adding, "The students especially will love the fondue."
Sweets and Beans is open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Tags: food,
