By BECKY THOMAS
Staff Reporter
For Scott and Marissa Myers, there's nothing better than a delicious dessert. Unless it's a delicious dessert at a discount, that is.
That's the idea behind Dessert Pals, a business the couple opened in Cheney this month.
“It's a dessert club,” Scott Myers said. “Our customers go to our website, print out the membership card and then they come on down and get discounts on gourmet desserts.”
Dessert Pals is located inside the Picture Perfect framing and art gallery at 1831 First St. The Myers' carved out a space among the frame samples and artwork for a few tables and chairs as well as displays filled with cookies, brownies, chocolates and more.
“We wanted something that had a variety and had a place for people to sit down and just relax and enjoy their dessert,” Scott Myers said.
Their desserts are also available at the Pottery Shed at 208 First St.
The business sells treats made by Marsel's Cakes, Bruttle's, Hallet's, Mr. Magic Cupcake Factory and Sweet Addictions, all regional businesses. Marissa Myers said they plan to add more variety as they go, aiming for a frequently changing menu.
“This way people get to try different kinds and we get to try desserts for a living,” she said with a laugh. “The challenge is keeping active somewhat so we don't double our weight.”
The Myers' met in Portland, Ore. and spent their courtship enjoying desserts together. After they married and moved to Colorado, Scott Myers began pursuing a business degree while working in accounting. He said he's always wanted to own his own business, and during his studies he came up with the dessert club concept, which the couple worked to develop over the past two years. After his graduation, the couple needed a place to test out their business plan, and they decided to come back to Cheney, where Scott Myers grew up.
“I wanted a targeted audience and I didn't know where to start. I was born and raised in Cheney and I like Cheney,” he said. “I like the citizens, I have a lot of friends here, so I thought, ‘Why not create the dessert club in Cheney?'”
Dessert Pals is implementing technology to grow their customer base. Their website, http://www.dessertpals.com, displays the menu as well as a “daily deal” that offers a special discount for one or two days. People who sign up for the free membership card become “Dessert Pals” and get the deals sent to their email. The Myers' are also using Facebook and Twitter to reach their clientele.
“It's also a way to promote local activities within Cheney,” Scott Myers said.
The Myers' said one of their main goals is to give back to the community, and they've begun partnering with local businesses for cross-marketing purposes as well as to sell their “Cookies for a Cure,” sugar cookies shaped like the iconic pink ribbon that's become synonymous with breast cancer awareness. The cookies are currently for sale at Nixon's Farmers Insurance and Copy Junction for $1 each, with proceeds going to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Scott Myers said they hope to raise $1,500 for the Eastern Washington affiliate by the end of the year.
While the couple has big plans for their business—they want to expand locally, offer delivery and their own product line and eventually become an international company—they said they're happy in their cozy corner of Picture Perfect. Since their grand opening April 15, the Myers' said they've had several return customers come in to enjoy desserts together, from a woman and her elderly mother to a couple of high school students.
“It's those moments that make this company so special to me, is watching two people share a great dessert and just talking,” Scott Myers said.
Dessert Pals is open from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and can be reached by phone at 235-4006 or through http://www.dessertpals.com.
Becky Thomas can be reached at [email protected].
Reader Comments(0)