J’s Sweet Treats has said goodbye to the South Side, but fans can fear not as the bakery has already found a new home. Owner Juana Williams will move her operation to the Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High St.
J’s Sweet Treats opened its first brick-and-mortar at 1540 Parsons Ave. in February of 2020, just weeks before the pandemic would upend the world.
Williams says that when they opened on Parsons, she knew it was more of an up-and-coming spot, but revitalization efforts were underway in the area. However, when the pandemic struck, she says the focus understandably turned from revitalization to economic survival. Coupled with a few safety issues encountered by her all-female staff, ultimately, “It just wasn’t a fit for us any longer,” Williams says.
As luck would have it, the bakery had fans in high places. Williams says the wife of John Page, general manager of the Greater Columbus Convention Center, frequented the bakery. Missing that sweet element, the Convention Center reached out to J’s Sweet Treats to see if the partnership would be a fit.
“Moving to the Convention Center opens a lot of opportunities for us,” Williams says.
Not only does the bakery fill a gap, but the location puts J’s Sweet Treats in front of a new audience. Williams also has plans to develop various collaborations from her new home, from partnerships with fellow Convention Center vendor American Nut Company, to opportunities with OSU and the surrounding hotels.
At their new home, J’s Sweet Treats will streamline its menu, focusing on treats for the lunchtime crowd and convention goers, with everything baked on-site. All custom orders will be directed to the bakery’s Polaris location, which is running full steam ahead.
J’s Sweet Treats opened its second location inside Polaris Fashion Place in July of 2021. Williams was excited for the second location to check some of the boxes Parsons didn’t – like having more foot traffic, parking, and closer access to customers on the north side of town.
The Convention Center location of J’s Sweet Treats will be open daily from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. with extended hours during conventions. Williams hopes to be up and running in the new spot by early May.
For more information, visit jssweettreats.net.