By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sydney Newton, like so many others, found herself out of a job. She had been working as a server at The Capital Grille, but was laid off as restaurants were forced to shut down their dining rooms.
The Northwood, Baltimore native became an unofficial teacher for her two children, supporting them during virtual learning. In an effort to stave off depression and boredom brought on by the long hours inside and social isolation, Newton began making ice cream with her children.
“They loved it, and I did too. I loved that you could do so many things with ice cream. You can experiment with flavors, textures, smells and colors,” said Newton.
“We started delivering the ice cream to my sister and my mom, and they told me I should put it on Instagram to deliver it to more people, and we did.”
Now, Sydney’s Ice Creams is serving the public two days a week in Northeast Baltimore’s Belair-Edison neighborhood at 3432 Belair Road. A grand opening is being prepared for the brick-and-mortar store in Spring 2024. Newton’s flavors range from birthday cake, to cherry cheesecake to s’mores, and she’s also in the process of finalizing some sorbets.
Newton hopes the ice cream shop will bring the community together in a positive way. She expects to host a grand opening on April 1, and in the interim she will be hosting ice cream parties and events for testing new flavors.
“I think something as fun as an ice cream shop where people can come together and enjoy each other’s company is what the neighborhood needs,” said Newton. “I think it’s going to help revitalize the neighborhood, and hopefully it will encourage other business owners to come into the neighborhood.”
John Watkins, community real estate development manager for Belair-Edison Neighborhoods, met Newton a few years ago while she was searching for a space to open a brick and mortar for Sydney’s Ice Creams. As part of his role, Watkins identifies properties to purchase, renovate and rent to small business owners on the neighborhood’s main street, Belair Road.
His team executed a $280,000 rehabilitation of 3432 Belair Road to house Sydney’s Ice Creams. They also paid for the installation of a kitchen hood so Newtown can sell baked goods.
“I think it will definitely impact the neighborhood in a positive way. We have about 50 businesses on Belair Road, and Sydney’s ice cream parlor is the first of its kind,” said Watkins. “A lot of our residents want to be able to spend money in the neighborhood that they live in. I think it’s going to be a great addition.”
He explained that the Belair-Edison neighborhood has about 18,000 residents, and nearly 65 percent of them are homeowners— a fact he thinks demonstrates the pride residents take in the neighborhood.
“To be able to go to an ice cream parlor—a brand new facility at that— and get your ice cream or your baked goods is a blessing,” said Watkins. “I think it’s also a great opportunity for employment where she could hire some of the youth to work in the store.”
Newton noted that an ice cream shop was something she wished she had in her neighborhood while growing up. She recalled that as an elementary student she could go to Eddie’s Market, but the kids from her school, Roland Park Elementary/Middle School, were forced to wait outside in a line, while kids from the area’s private schools could go inside immediately.
She said she thinks about that memory every day.
“I’m excited to have my ice cream shop so close to so many schools and to see kids come in after school and be treated fairly,” said Newton.”
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