Restaurant, bakery openings spice up Valley Stream's downtown

Valley Stream’s downtown business district has a couple of new faces and business owners are ready to serve tasty treats. Opening up a “nest” is the Chicken Coop at 159 Rockaway Ave. and ready to bring in the “dough” is the Little Sugar Shop right around the corner at 4 E. Valley Stream Blvd.

“My main thing is to make sure that the customer is happy and that we deliver a great product,” said Vyancka Kilimet, owner of the Little Sugar Shop, which makes specialty cakes and other treats. “I want the customer to enjoy what I make as much as I enjoy making it.”

The shop just opened its doors on Jan. 2. Kilimet, 37, began learning how to create desserts in the Dominican Republic. Starting with baking birthday cakes for her family, Kilimet fell in love with the craft — an affair that has lasted for more than 10 years.

Spending the last four years renting a commercial kitchen in Long Island City, Kilimet got the lease for the Sugar Shop in November 2009. Always dreaming of opening a shop, Kilimet had to overcome one more hurdle before she could move in — waiting for the former tenants to vacate. “I had to have the store,” she said.

The store celebrated its grand opening on Jan. 22. She described the day as “great” with an “amazing turnout.” A cake tasting, including customer favorites dulce de leche, or caramel, boston crème and red velvet, was set up for guests next door at the Italian ices store, which is currently closed for the winter.

The menu ranges from gourmet cupcakes to cookies and brownies. Kilimet is very involved in the day-to-day running of the business. Clients are able to make appointments to discuss whatever treat they may want to fill their heart’s desire. Sometimes, Kilimet may have to create a tasty treat from just an event invitation or a theme a client might want for a birthday or wedding. After determining what style a client might want for a baked treat, they are able to move forward with placing an order and picking the flavor, filling and design. To help with the order, she brings in a kitchen helper a couple of times a week. But Kilimet does most of the tasks by herself, enjoying the decorating phase more than anything, she noted.