The announcement of a new small business in Cedar Park at 49th & Catherine is providing some positive news for a neighborhood that suffered the loss of three businesses when a Christmas Eve fire that ignited first at Elena’s Soul across the street ultimately toppled its neighbors on each side.

Former Elena's

Little Baby’s Ice Cream, the handmade ice cream company based in Kensington, is poised to expand into its second storefront location at 4903 Catherine St., a currently vacant storefront. They opened their first store on Frankford Avenue last year. They also operate seasonal ice cream stands at Union Transfer, Garden Variety and Morgan’s Pier. A Huffington Post article last summer featured a Little Baby’s ad.

Next to Peking Inn

Founded in 2011, the company prides itself on its creative combinations of flavors perhaps considered strange when associated with ice cream like Balsamic Banana, Pizza, and Red Bean Rice Crisps. They also strive to provide non-dairy and Vegan options. Its owners recently received a letter of support from Cedar Park Neighbors.

49th and Catherine sits right next to Cedar Park, which hosts summer jazz series and other events. A relatively new pizza shop and Hibiscus, a healthy food shop, also opened on that same strip of storefronts along the 4900 block of Catherine in the past year and a half. As fundraising efforts continue in Cedar Park to benefits the three business ravaged by holiday fire, it’s good to see other businesses coming to the area.

Corner bar still an eyesore

Now if only someone would do something productive with the New World Lounge…

–Lou Mancinelli