Durham’s in for a real treat when The Parlour expands into the former Playworks space next door and adds an additional 1,000 square feet to its current footprint. The addition to the shop, which opened at 117 Market St. in April 2013, will allow the owners to expand the menu, seat almost 60 — up from the 24 guests it can currently seat — as well as accommodate events.
“People have asked us to open additional locations,” says Co-Owner Yoni Mazuz. “That’s still a future possibility, but right now our loyal following keeps us busy most of the year where we are—and downtown Durham is clearly still growing. We want to be able to accommodate all the additional residents, workers and visitors flocking here.”
A second cash register will help improve wait time for your confections, which will broaden to include many more non-frozen desserts and coffee options. Co-Owner Vanessa Mazuz says a new pastry case and display will stock everything from vegan chocolate mousse to salted caramel pots de creme to pre-packaged hot fudge and caramel sauces for the folks who want to make their own sundaes at home. “With a beautiful new coffee station, we’ll be able to produce consistent, delicious coffee drinks without a wait, and we’ll be able to showcase seasonal beans from our coffee partner, Carrboro Coffee Roasters,” Vanessa says. “We’ll also be able to offer a greater variety of hot drinks to accompany our pastries in the colder months.”
Center Studio Architecture and Kennedy Building Company are heading up the expansion project, with construction planned to commence in early January. The owners are hopeful the renovations will only close the shop for a few weeks — stay tuned for re-opening details. In the meantime, stock up on your pints of salted butter caramel!
