Sweet Spots of Frederick
Highlighting the Community's Sweetest Treasures
By: Ethan Weidman
Spring has sprung and the easiest way to tell is to look outside. The flowers and the trees have finally started to bloom and air is warm enough for people to enjoy outside.
Frederick’s sidewalks are packed with community members enjoying the variety of shops and window-shopping. Restaurants have started seating people outside to enjoy their meals al dente.
Over the past few years, a certain type of venue in the restaurant business has made a greater impact in the community, an impact that those with a sweet tooth have been craving.
“I have a very strong sweet tooth, easily the strongest in my family. I love the cute little shops that Frederick has to offer,” said Bev Landis, who had made the quick trip from Westminster, Maryland. “Plus it is really great to support the local businesses here in the town.”
Every year, the Frederick Magazine does a little taste test competition throughout the community to see who offers the best of the best products around.
The Perfect Truffle, voted best chocolate in Frederick, is home to over 60 types of truffles in Frederick for the past six years. It has also been the winner of the Chocolate Gala every year the truffles have been entered in.
The owner, Randy Olmstead, has worked with many big names in the culinary field and around the world. He has worked with Jean-Pierre Wybauw, the Master Chocolatier of Belgium, and the former Executive Pastry Chef of the White House, Roland Mesimier.
“Chef Randy was sought out by Chef Mesimier, former pastry Chef at the White House for 25 years, and entrusted with his recipe for the presidential mints, which we still make in the shop today, and send to chef Roland at his many speaking engagements around the world,” said Lia Seltzer, an employee at The Perfect Truffle.
Chef Randy talking to excited customers, photo courtesy of The Perfect Truffle
Two years ago, their truffles were even a part of the 2011 Academy Awards gift bags, for all of the celebrities to enjoy.
Each and every flavor that is made is handmade with only the best ingredients.
The workers invite their customers to stop by the shop and see the chocolate making process in the works.
“We are enrobing about four chocolates a day, so we love to have people come in and watch the process,” said Seltzer.
You can buy these delectable truffles at their store at 16 N. East Street or at two other locations: the Frederick Wine House and the Black Ankle Vineyard.
On the days when it is too hot to handle, you will most likely see a long line at Rita’s Italian Ice and Ice cream.
“My favorite flavor is Swedish Fish flavor, but I’ll eat just about all of them,” said Manuel PInho. “I just wish I would have been able to be here on the first day of spring.”
Every year on the first day of spring, Rita’s gives a free Italian ice to every customer. In 2012 alone, over 1.2 million cups of any flavor ice the customers preferred were given away in only 10 hours.
“As a part of an organization, we have used Rita’s to raise money and we were cleaned out at the end of the event,” said Pinho.
If you need a cood and tasty treat, you should make your way to 538 W. South Street to find some relief.
The two time champion of the baked goods division, Angelcakes, is the small hole-in-the-wall shop, that unless you know where you are looking, it is often easy to drive right past it.
Not only does their name hint to their heavenly cupcake creations, when you step into the little store, customers are enveloped in the delicious smell of the freshly made cupcakes.
Now in it’s third year, owners John and Lindy Angel, along with Lindy’s sister Jolynn Wright, run Angelcakes.
“We want to make people happy and when we think about what makes us happy, it’s cupcakes,” said Wright.
Cupcakes designed at Angelcakes, photo courtesy of Angelcakes
Even though the store has not been open for very long, the impact that it has had on the community has been proven in the past few weeks.
Owner John had a stroke on the final day of vacationing in Mexico, leaving him paralyzed on his right side and without the ability to speak.
Without the funds to bring him home, due to the excessive medical bills, the family turned to the store and the community.
Through excessive fundraising and the power of word-of-mouth publicity, patrons and donations came pouring in over the next several weeks.
The fundraiser and donations amounted to over $11,000, enough to bring John home.
Angelcakes is located at 319 E. Church Street, open Wednesday through Sunday, from 12-6 p.m.
This goes to show that the only aspect of Frederick that outshines the sweet spots in Frederick is the generous, sweet people.