“If you want to make someone happy, go sell ice cream,” says John Parkos, Jr. who, with his son John III, did exactly that with their recently opened Sandcastles Sundaes and Shakes in Brick Market Place. Inspired by New York City’s celeb-adored creamery Serendipity3 and Nashville’s Legendairy Milkshake Bar, the Parkoses created a sweet shop that features their own over-the-top ice cream creations.
Their “jazzed up” sundaes include Hot Apple Pie, which comes with an apple pie topper, and Peanut Butter Dream, loaded with Reese’s Pieces and peanut butter cups. Their fanciful shakes include the Magic Unicorn, made from cotton candy ice cream with a dusting of rainbow sprinkles. Their twist on Serendipity3’s famous frozen hot chocolate is dairy free, so those with sensitivities can enjoy the treat. These IG-worthy creations come sized in small, large, and ginormous, which Parkos says, “feeds a gaggle.” Newport, SandCastleSundaes.com
“I always wanted to sell books, but it’s not realistic to own a used book store,” confides Uriah Donnelly. The founder and executive director of arts org The Collaborative recently opened the Arc{hive} Books + Snackery, which at first seems to belie his statement. However, with The Collaborative squeezed into 400 square feet, opening the Arc{hive} allows for extra gallery space while helping to sustain a used book store that offers beer, wine, and little noshes that pair with reading.
The small plates include items like warmed almonds dusted with sumac and other spices and toasts, such as one topped with local mushrooms and garlic ricotta. About 90 percent of the beers are local brews, they have a selection of natural wines, and the sodas are from Empire Bottling Works in Bristol. “There’s a symbiosis with the arts,” he says. “It has a vibe that’s welcoming and non-exclusive.” Warren, @ArchiveBookSnackery
David Fierabend, owner of the beloved Groundswell Bakery and Cafe in Tiverton, was on the hunt for a commercial kitchen to accommodate his expanding team of bakers. “We make everything in house,” he says, from pastries to their Paris-worthy croissants and loaves of bread, so space is tight in the cafe’s little kitchen. He stumbled upon the 195 Franklin catering space in Bristol and was sold on its spacious commissary kitchen.
“The bones were there,” Fierabend says, along with enough space to open The Franklin, a small-plate dining concept inspired by old-school speakeasies. “The bar is the story, with old-school mixologists making great cocktails.” Think sidecars, whiskey sours, and Rob Roys. This cocktail culture throwback is joined by a grazing menu and light entertainment to mellow out the mood. With a full renovation in the works, Fierabend hopes to open in early spring, 2023. Bristol, GroundswellCafeGarden.com
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