Serendipity Sweets
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Serendipity Sweets
Serendipity Sweets owner Melissa Pierce scoops candy from one of many containers that line the store’s walls. She and her husband, Adam, have owned the store since June 2014. Photos by Katie Turpen.
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Serendipity Sweets
Serendipity Sweets has 24 flavors of ice cream including the popular Superman, a mix of lemon, strawberry and blue raspberry, and other fun flavors such as Spumoni, Strawberry Cheesecake and Wildberry Yogurt.
Melissa Pierce has fond memories of going to the mall to eat candy as a child. When the opportunity came to own her own ice cream and candy shop as an adult, it was just too sweet to pass up.
Serendipity Sweets has been located in Rocky Ridge Plaza for eight years. Pierce and her husband, Adam, took over ownership of the store in June 2014. Pierce was a teacher before she made the switch to sweets.
“It’s just always been something that I’ve wanted to do,” she said. “We really want this place to be a friendly, neighborhood ice cream shop.”
“Serendipity” is the effect by which one accidentally discovers something fortunate, especially while looking for something else unrelated. The name is fitting because after stepping inside the sweet shop, customers are sure to be pleasantly surprised.
A colorful mural stretches across the ceiling, and one wall of the shop is covered with clear containers showcasing a variety of fun candies.
Beside the candy containers is a pink station for Pucker Powder, where children can fill tubes of candy powder of their choice. Pierce said they recently provided this candy for a local school carnival and the children thoroughly enjoyed it.
The store also has 24 flavors of ice cream including the popular Superman flavor, a mix of lemon, strawberry and blue raspberry, and other fun flavors such as Spumoni, Strawberry Cheesecake and Wildberry Yogurt. The store’s ice cream is from Ashby’s Sterling Ice Cream, which is based in Michigan.
Other menu items include shaved ice, sundaes, banana splits, smoothies and milkshakes. Pints and quarts of ice cream are offered to go, as well several types of sodas and candies. Children can even enjoy an old-fashioned lollipop.
There is truly something for everyone at this neighborhood sweet shop.
Pierce’s favorite part of managing the store is planning birthday parties for children. Just give her a call and she will plan the whole party from beginning to end. The only thing parents have to provide is cake or cupcakes.
Pierce will often have a special party theme and games planned for the kids. She will even take them outside to throw pennies in the fountain near the front of the store.
In addition to birthday parties, the shop also offers goody bags and gift certificates for all occasions. As a family-owned business, Pierce wants the community to know she is happy to do whatever she can to help.
Pierce said they enjoy being in the Rocky Ridge area and are looking forward to new businesses coming as well as the addition of sidewalks. She says all the business owners on the plaza have been welcoming and friendly since she arrived.
She also said her two small children are happy with their parents’ decision to enter the ice cream and candy business.
“They love it,” she said with a smile.
Serendipity Sweets
2518 Rocky Ridge Road, Vestavia Hills, Alabama
Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.