The Sweet Gremlin brings its treats to downtown Butler with new Main Street location
On Halloween, trick-or-treat candy will not be the only sweet thing available in Butler.
The Sweet Gremlin is set for grand opening, featuring a ribbon cutting with the Butler County Chamber of Commerce, at 10 a.m. Saturday at its new location at 200 N. Main St.
Jenn and Matt McConnell, owners of The Sweet Gremlin, said they decided to make the move to Butler after the building that hosted their old location in Petrolia was set to be sold. Another concern was that the business was outgrowing the 550-square-foot space it occupied in that location.
After serving hundreds at the Butler City Farmers’ Market, they said Mayor Bob Dandoy and Chamber President Jordan Grady encouraged the duo to finally bring their business full time to downtown Butler.
But the immediate challenge was finding a location to call home.
“We weren’t going to come to Butler unless we were on Main Street. We didn’t want to be tucked back in on a side street where people couldn’t see us. We want foot traffic. That’s something we didn’t have up in Petrolia,” Matt McConnell said.
They eventually found a home at the former Natili North Pizza Shoppe. In July, work officially began on making the move happen.
Besides its preexisting catalog of cupcakes, cheesecakes, brownies, cookies and more, The Sweet Gremlin has also expanded with its move into two new types of treats: dirty sodas and rolled ice cream.
“We know it’s super popular right now, and we wanted to jump on that train but also be unique,” Jenn McConnell explained. “So, we offer it as a custom can of soda. We actually seal your can for you right in front of you.”
As for rolled ice cream, the couple said they wanted to serve ice cream in a way that is not currently available in Butler.
“We wanted something unique that’s not in the Butler area and to be independent with our ice cream. Some places do the rolled ice cream, but they’re franchises. We wanted to create our own flavors and toppings,” Matt McConnell said.
The two said their goal with the expanded options is to create a “dessert experience” out of stopping by.
“So when you walk in, you’re seeing your ice cream be made or your drink be made, and then the checkout counter behind it is where I’m decorating cookies or cakes so people can watch me make someone’s order,” Jenn McConnell said.
She said the other room of the store will be used as a customer seating area but may sometimes be repurposed for classes, birthday parties and other events.
“We’re thinking maybe once a month we’ll hold either a cookie decorating class, cake decorating or pierogi making,” she said.
Both rooms of the store are adorned with The Sweet Gremlin artwork, baking decor such as vintage cookie jars and historical photographs of the building as well as a short write-up of the store’s history written by Bill May.
The store will be open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays.
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The Sweet Gremlin's new location in the City of Butler, seen here on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Baked sweets are for sale at The Sweet Gremlin's new location in the City of Butler, Wednesday, Oct. 28. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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The Sweet Gremlin's new location in the City of Butler, Wednesday, Oct. 28. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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The Sweet Gremlin owner Jenn McConnell prepares dirty soda at the store's new location in the City of Butler, Wednesday, Oct. 28. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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The Sweet Gremlin owner Jenn McConnell discusses the store’s new location in the City of Butler, Wednesday, Oct. 28. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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The Sweet Gremlin owner Matt McConnell discusses the store's new location in the City of Butler, Wednesday, Oct. 28. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Baked sweets are for sale at The Sweet Gremlin's new location in the City of Butler, Wednesday, Oct. 28. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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The Sweet Gremlin owner Jenn McConnell prepares dirty soda at the store's new location in the City of Butler, Wednesday, Oct. 28. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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The Sweet Gremlin owner Jenn McConnell prepares dirty soda at the store's new location in the City of Butler, Wednesday, Oct. 28. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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The sitting area at The Sweet Gremlin's new location in the City of Butler, Wednesday, Oct. 28. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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The Sweet Gremlin owner Jenn McConnell prepares dirty soda at the store's new location in the City of Butler, Wednesday, Oct. 28. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
