The Perfect Sweet Escape
Side Treats Brings Fro-Yo, Yo Way to Bar Harbor
BAR HARBOR—Sometimes a business is built by an entire family. That family might be blood or it might be chosen, but it’s there. And sometimes? Sometimes, the youngest family members are the key players.
That’s the way it’s going for Side Treats, a self-serve frozen yogurt toppings bar on Rodick Street in Bar Harbor that had a “friends and family” preview Wednesday night and is officially opening this week. Families abounded, testing and tasting and squealing in delight.
“They. Have. Boba,” one tiny customer enthused in a dead-serious voice Wednesday night before she started jumping on her toes. “Bo-ba!”
“There are just so many choices,” Tim Miller said as he looked at the options for yogurt flavors and then toppings. “I want everything.”
Family also created the new business.
“Our seven-year-old daughter, Isla, helped us lock in the name of the business and she loves to help us brainstorm on toppings and design elements. We may not take ALL of the suggestions, but it has been a fun family project,” Jeff Young said.
According to co-owners, Jeff and Jena Young, the business is described as "Fro Yo, Yo Way." Guests create their dream creation using all natural frozen yogurt and a huge assortment of toppings. The cost is determined by weight and there are several size options available.
Jeff has been going to town Design Review Board meeting after meeting. They’ve been hurriedly transforming the building so that it has a huge and wide exterior ramp that wraps around an old Maine tree. People can queue on the ramp and also hang out and eat their yogurt. This happened Wednesday, which Jeff said was all the plan.
“Are you happy?” someone asked.
He beamed. “So happy.”
Jena Young, co-owner of Elevated Leadership, Side Street Cafe, Thrive Juice Bar & Kitchen, and Yellow House Inn agreed, saying it was wonderful to see it all come together. She emphasized the talents of their management team.
“This has been a concept that Jeff has wanted to do for many years, and this was the season where it fit best into the bigger picture,” Jena said. “We have such a solid leadership team, and they are helping to see the vision through. We see Side Treats filling a specific and fun niche in our community. People love to build exactly what they want and have more agency in what they are getting and what it will cost. Kids have a blast with all of the toppings and independence in creating their dream treat. It's customizable and fun! We have chosen an all natural frozen yogurt product and the entire staff has been taste testing this month.”
The management team consists of: Bo Jennings, director of operations; Mackenzie Patterson, service director; Jasmine Burne, beverage director; Bentley Campbell, kitchen director; Tiffany Carrol, office director, and Lexi Young, assistant bar manager.
By building what they want, it becomes an experience for customers, something proactive rather than just reactive. That’s important and it’s part of what they’ve been trying to do in different ways in multiple locations. Side Street has hosted countless community functions, meetings, kids get-togethers, New Years’ Eve parties, post marathon parties, even Rotary International events, and trivia nights. The Annex brings live music.
Businesses become more than businesses, they become experiences where locals and tourists mingle and connect. That’s what the Youngs have built and hope to continue to build.
Two factors combine for the Youngs in this project: agency and connecting community.
“Our main focus as business owners is on connecting with people and creating experiences,” Jena said. “If a business concept doesn't help us to do those two things, we don't get excited by it. We also have a management team that enjoys the process of creating and executing new concepts. Without their support and hard work, we couldn't have made the visions come to life. We mainly continue to shake it up because we enjoy the creative process and what it does for our team, family and community.”
“We are all so excited to offer a new experience where the customer has control over what they get and what they pay. We know that families and kids will have a blast and that we are offering a great product to eat but also a fun activity to do! In a world that sometimes feels "out of control"... you can control what you get at Side Treats,” Jena said.
Customers of Side Street Cafe will get a discount at Side Treats because, Jeff said, "the more you eat, the more we treat."
According to Jena, the businesses really fill Jeff's creative cup, and he is always looking for new projects. Jena is excited about her podcast Elevated Leadership and being a coach to their team and to fellow small business owners/leaders who struggle with overwhelm and self doubt.
“As a family, we are focused on making memories together and also allowing relaxation and peace whenever we can snatch it up,” Jena said.
Their first business together was Side Street Cafe, which opened in 2009.
“Jeff was also running a successful building company at the time, but we quickly learned that we each had a different set of skills that complimented each other. As our team grew, so did the opportunities to try new concepts,” Jena said.
According to VisitBarHarbor.com, the business is open from noon to 10 p.m., seven days a week.
Photos: Carrie Jones/Bar Harbor Story unless otherwise specified.
LINKS TO LEARN MORE
Side Treats can be found on Instagram and Facebook.
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