SHELBURNE FALLS — Seventeen years after Chris King opened the village staple Mocha Maya’s, he is trying his hand at a new business, this time serving tasty treats next to the Bridge of Flowers.

King recently opened his business, The Red Dahlia Cafe at 16 Water St., by selling gelato, but he plans to expand the menu soon. While there is coffee on the menu, he explained he is not duplicating a coffee shop.

“We are working to make it fit in with the Bridge of Flowers,” he said. He designed the restaurant to look like an outdoor European cafe, with flowers and a stone patio.

King said he has been involved with many different business associations and boards during his time in Shelburne Falls. In opening The Red Dahlia Cafe, he hopes not to compete with other businesses in the area, but attract more people who will contribute to the local economy.

“The more successful one business is, the better it is for everyone,” King said.

Since holding a soft opening on Aug. 13, King said the response has been phenomenal.

“Everyone has been telling me the town needed something like this,” he said.

The gelato, which has less sugar and less fat than ice cream, is made in-house on an Emery Thompson Machine, one of the oldest ice cream machine companies in the country. Most of the ingredients are sourced from Italy, creating an authentic and rich product for gelato enthusiasts, King explained.

There are four flavors available right now, but King said The Red Dahlia Cafe will expand its flavors to include crazy combinations, as well as keep traditional flavors.

“The coffee gelato is delicious,” commented customer Terry Estes. “This makes Shelburne Falls even more perfect.”

Additionally the business sells sorbet, low-sugar options and dairy-free options. Pint options of the products are also available.

King plans to extend The Red Dahlia Cafe’s hours later in the evening, when string lights are lit around the patio, and open earlier, when there will be crepes on the menu. The crepes will be Japanese-style, folded into a cone-like shape, and will include sweet and savory options.

King explained the biggest challenge for the new restaurant will be keeping a full staff. He hopes to bounce workers back and forth from Mocha Maya’s and The Red Dahlia Cafe, but will only be able to do this with a full staff.

The business only operates through a window, so King thinks he will keep it open until a little after Thanksgiving, being open for the Moonlight Magic festival. He thinks he may add heat lamps in the future to keep it open longer, but at this point, it will be a seasonal snack shop.

King has been eyeing the location for years, being a gift shop in the past. He rented the building last year, and has been working on the business since last spring.

There is no website and social media pages yet for the shop. King hopes to make them as soon as possible, as well as update the Mocha Maya’s website.

Bella Levavi can be reached at 413-930-4579 or blevavi@recorder.com.

]]>