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Those of us who live in or visit Asheville find ourselves in a wonderful place in more ways than one. Since Asheville has a decided knack for attracting new residents with some of the more creative business ideas to be found anywhere, it is our good fortune to just sit back and enjoy, not only the beauty that is distinctly Asheville, but also these great businesses that spring from the minds of its newest residents. Such is the case with the new Sweet Heaven Ice Cream Shop. Husband and wife team Jeffrey Japp and Lael Gray, along with friend and business partner Susanne Loar, opened Sweet Heaven. Sweet Heaven, located at 35 Montford Avenue (next to Readers Corner, across the street from Randolph School and just a couple of blocks from Isaac Dickson Elementary), features a unique bill of fare, even by Asheville standards. Sweet Heaven has opened as an ice cream and music caf�, offering incredibly delicious homemade, super premium ice creams (yes, that's the high fat kind), the freshest sorbets, sugar-free ice creams and even soy ice creams. Add to the mix a wide array of coffees, high quality English teas and herbal teas, smoothies, and ice cream cakes and pies, and you have something to please almost any version of sweet tooth. This is a very kid-friendly place, which makes it very parent-friendly, too. The d�cor features hand-painted tables and chairs, and walls that invite young and old alike to add their own colored-chalk drawings to those already on the lower part of the walls. Books, magazines, toys, and musical instruments are all on hand with an open invitation to pick up something, relax, play, and enjoy your own little corner of Sweet Heaven. The smoke-free, low stress environment makes for a perfect place for parents to get out, enjoy a sweet treat and some music, all the while keeping an eye on their kids who, by the way, couldn't be happier as they draw on the walls or play with some new toy.
But this is a music caf�, too, and Sweet Heaven caters to the musical tastes of adults and children alike. Friday and Saturday nights are set aside for adult music, when the evening's featured performer begins at 8 PM. Of course, children are always welcome at these evening performances, but the music selections are made to order for their parents. On Sunday afternoons at 2 PM, Sweet Heaven offers a children's performer - maybe a singer, puppet show, or storyteller - to entertain the younger crowd. Lael Gray and Jeffrey Japp (see second photo) made the decision to move to Asheville from Miami with their two young children shortly after September 11. With both of them in high-pressure jobs in the computer software industry, it became clear to them that they wanted something more rewarding. Jeff had already spent his earlier years in the restaurant industry and had been well educated as a chef, so something in the food industry seemed a natural. Asheville seemed a likely destination, with their friend Susanne Loar already here and telling them about the lovely, family-oriented lifestyle that was available. So Jeff enrolled in a world-renowned ice cream school (oddly enough, the only one of its kind and operated by an Italian company specializing in such things, and located in Winston-Salem), became proficient in ice cream excellence, and then opened for business in June. Jeff also happens to be a musician, so the music tie-in is one that caters to his own interest, as well as that of his wife. "As parents, this is something we set up for ourselves," said Lael. "We thought that other parents would also be interested in an intimate place to listen to music while the kids play." As for ice cream, which is what makes all of this work, Sweet Heaven has some definite winners. Some of the most popular homemade, super premium flavors include Chocolate Sin (chocolate ice cream, brownie chunks, chocolate chunks, chocolate crunchies, with a ribbon of Ghiradelli chocolate syrup swirled throughout), Mud Puppy (coffee ice cream, brownie chunks, and caramel), and Memphis Monkey (banana ice cream, peanut butter, graham crackers, honey, and chocolate chips). A different homemade sorbet is offered weekly, including fresh lemon, mango, watermelon and pineapple. Homemade soy ice creams are also available in chocolate and vanilla flavors. Homemade organic ice creams, an exciting addition that will be included on the menu soon, will be made in vanilla, chocolate chip, strawberry and chocolate flavors. Baked goods, such as pecan pie and apple pie (which are currently used as ingredients in some of their ice cream flavors), may be added to the menu in the near future. Ice cream prices generally range from $1.25 for a kid's scoop to $3.50 for a triple scoop; free rainbow or chocolate sprinkles are available on the ice cream of your choice. Ice cream is also available by the pint and quart. Sweet Heaven Ice Cream Shop is open Sunday through Thursday, noon - 10 PM (closed Tuesday), and Friday and Saturday, noon - 11 PM. For more information, please call 828-259-9848, or visit their web site (soon to be completed) at www.sweetheavenicecream.com.
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Quilts made by the students at Isaac Dickson Elementary are currently on display at the shop. Sweet Heaven hopes to include artwork from the school on a regular basis as part of its interior decoration.