Cecelia’s Sweets, a new dessert concept in the space formerly occupied by Sweet Stack Shack on Central Avenue, is officially open for business. The diverse dessert hub in the EDGE District of St. Pete is owned and operated by Theresa DiMaria and her daughter Mary.

The sweet shop is named after Theresa’s mother who had a passion for discovering the most unique restaurants and shops in the country. “It didn’t matter how far away it was, my mother would drive for hours to try a spot she might have read about in Food & Wine,” said Cecelia’s Sweets owner Theresa DiMaria in a phone interview with I Love the ‘Burg. That passion has been passed down from generation to generation.

Cecelia’s Sweets brings Dessert Wars winner to St. Pete

DiMaria and her family moved to St. Pete nearly two years ago and the EDGE District was the first place they called home. “We immediately fell in love with the area,” said DiMaria. “We’re passionate about walkability, and absolutely loved the mom-and-pop feel of Central Avenue.”

EJ Barkett with Barkett Realty helped DiMaria ultimately land on the space in at 1041 Central Avenue. “[Barkett] was incredibly patient with me, and we did ultimately purchase Sweet Stack Shack,” said DiMaria. “EJ knew the area so well and has such a passion for the food industry here. He felt almost like a mentor,” added DiMaria.

Shaved snow is falling in the EDGE District

So, what’s on the menu at this new passion project? Cecilia’s Sweets carries the Dessert Wars award-winning Vampire Penguin shaved snow. It was actually at a Vampire Penguin hub in Seminole that the very idea for this sweet shop came about.

“My daughter [Mary] does community theater, and they went to Vampire Penguin for a cast party,” said DiMaria. “She had their shaved snow and immediately told me I had to try it.” DiMaria was blown away after her first visit, and saw a message on the back of the menu for any party interested in licensing/operating a Vampire Penguin.

For the uninitiated, Vampire Penguin features light shaved snow flavors such as cotton candy, green tea, mango, strawberry, cookies and cream, and Thai tea. Once you choose your base, you can then select from an array of fruit toppings, syrups, and candies to create a proverbial avalanche of flavor.

Premium ice cream, and classic floats on the menu

Cecilia’s will also keep Sweet Stack Shack’s ice cream purveyor, Lickity Splits, on the menu, but will condense the menu of flavors a bit, and rotate those flavors more frequently. Those premium flavors will also be used for classic floats, and old school milkshakes.

Penguin Pretzels, hand twisted soft and savory delicacies, are also on Cecilia’s Sweets’ menu. “He’ll ship them directly to us, and I’ll be able to bake them in-house,” said DiMaria. Down the line they plan to offer Pelican-shaped soft pretzels. Pretzel hot dogs with your choice of regionally crafted mustards are also on the menu. DiMaria’s hopes they can be an affordable lunch alternative for workers in the area.

The dessert hub is open 4-10pm Monday-Thursday, 4-11pm Friday, 12-11pm Saturday, and 12-10pm Sunday.

Before our interview ended, DiMaria also noted that they hope to host different fundraisers and drives for area nonprofits centered on conservation, environmental protection, animal welfare, and the LGBTQIA community.

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