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POUND RIDGE, N.Y. Pound Ridge residents are going to get some cold comfort this summer.
After nearly a yearlong struggle to get the proper permits, the proprietor of a new frozen yogurt and ice cream shop hopes to open sometime in May.
Maggie Nader, a Pound Ridge resident, took over the old lawyers office in the Bank of America strip mall on Westchester Avenue in Scotts Corners early in 2011 with the intent of opening Maggie Mays Frozen Yogurt & Ice Cream. The permit process with the town went smoothly and she completed the necessary local requirements by June. It wasnt until she faced the county health department that she hit a snag.
It was designated a dry space and we were converting it to a wet space, Nader said. We had to demonstrate how much water we would be putting into the septic system and whether it could handle the flow.
Nader said that although she wont use water in any of her products, it is used to clean the machines and the shop itself. The water must meet county standards, which required the installation of a chlorinating system.
We hired an engineer to work with both the town and the county, she said. It was a long process, but our landlord and the county were great and willing to work with us. We had to have several water tests, which take about six to eight weeks to complete.
The county finally approved the necessary permits earlier this week, enabling Nader to move forward. Nader said that what sets Maggie Mays apart is that it will offer both frozen yogurt and ice cream.
The store is going to be fairly unique, she said. It will be self-serve and people can add their own toppings. They can make their own sundaes too.
In her mission statement for the business, Nader wrote, Ice cream is for the person who is not necessarily concerned with calorie counting, while frozen yogurt allows for enjoyment of a delicious dessert without the guilt. Bringing those two entities together allows families to not have to decide.
Nader said her next step is to begin renovating the stores interior and installing the equipment, which she recently purchased at a trade show. Her family will be helping her out. Her son Chaz is a graphic designer and developed the logo and signs for the store, while her son Michael is an interior designer and came up with the layout and color schemes.
This is a truly a family effort, she said. My husband (Patrick) has been my partner every step of the way and I couldnt have done this without his support.
Nader said her target opening date is between May 1 and May 15.
I think Im filling a void here in Pound Ridge, she said.
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