After 40 years in social work, Sharon Mahota decided it was time for a change. She decided what Coxsackie really needed was an ice cream parlor.
Sharon purchased 12 Reed Street, formerly the Sbarboro back in 2014. Since then, she has wondered what type of business would suit her retirement needs and contribute to the business community in downtown Coxsackie. Drawing on her love of ice cream and the history of the building itself- it was home to an ice cream parlor back in the early 1900s- Sharon began her transition from a social worker to a small business owner.
Coxsackie Creamery made its debut on June 2nd and has been welcomed into the community with open arms, Sharon said. Open Wednesday-Sunday from noon until 8 p.m., the business has had over 370 transactions and served more than 800 customers in its first two weeks of operation.
The current menu includes 24 flavors of Jane’s Ice Cream, a homemade ice cream made in Kingston, as well as 6 vegan flavors and 2 sorbets. Customers can make their own sundaes in homemade waffles bowls or purchase a pint to take home and enjoy. Coxsackie Creamery also sells Moxxi Coffee, a woman-owned business in Stillwater, which directs a portion of its profits to helping women start their own businesses.
Sharon will also be adding Belgian waffles served with scoops of ice cream in the future.
“The business community here, and the community at large have been spectacular,” Sharon said. “We promote each other’s businesses. Any time I needed help, or was in the midst of a panic attack, folks were really supportive.”
The collaborative spirit of the local business community helped make Sharon’s dream a reality. At the suggestion of Greene County Economic Development Director James Hannahs, Sharon applied for a small business loan from the National Bank of Coxsackie. Business Developer Officer Angela Osier and her team turned around the application in just three and a half weeks during the holidays, Sharon said, adding that the bank employees were some of her very first customers.
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Topics: Success Stories
