A popular East Rock ice cream shop is looking to open up a new location right off the Farmington Canal Trail near Science Park. That plan is detailed in a zoning-relief application submitted by Elena Grewal and slated to be heard by the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) on Tuesday. Grewal is look ing for a special exception to permit a coffee shop and ice cream shop — including seating for up to six people and “seasonal” seating for up to 15 — at 320 Ashmun St. That vacant storefront used to be home to Hair’s Kay beauty salon. The building is located just steps away from hundreds of new apartments that have opened in recent years (and months) at complexes like Axis 201, Cadence on Canal, The Winston, and Winchester Lofts. The application also comes several months after the closure of Fussy Coffee right across the street from where this new ice cream is looking to open. “This is the perfect location for an ice cream/coffee shop,” Grewal’s application reads. “The Farmington canal trail is filled with people walking and biking who would enjoy an ice cream cone in the summer and a warm cup of coffee in the winter. There are many new buildings in the area along with many long time residents and families who are looking for places to walk to and enjoy a sweet treat.” Hillhouse High School is also nearby, as are “other schools, churches, and the Scantlebury park playground.” Grewal’s application describes the proposed ice cream shop as “a community gathering spot that is inclusive and welcoming, offering high quality products not found in the area at this time.” The application states that Elena’s current ice cream shop at 831 Orange St., opened in 2022, has become exactly that for the East Rock neighborhood. The application also notes that there is “a large sidewalk area for some outdoor tables as well as space for a few seats inside” at 320 Ashmun. In a phone interview with the Independent Monday, Grewal, who is also the chair of the East Rock Community Management Team, said that she has been looking for a new spot that is “part of a neighborhood” and that is “next to an experience of nature.” This Ashmun Street site, located right off the Farmington Canal and near new and existing homes in Science Park, Dixwell, and Newhallville, fit those criteria. Pending BZA approval, she hopes to open this new shop by this summer. Following the same naming model as her current East Rock location, which is called Elena’s On Orange, this new shop will be called Elena’s On Ashmun. Grewal said that this new venture won’t affect the current Orange Street location, which will be staying put and continuing business as usual. She said that future customers at the new location should expect similar ice cream offerings as are now sold at the East Rock shop, and that neighborhood feedback could help shape the menu. While Grewal’s ice cream/coffee-shop application is scheduled to receive a public hearing before the BZA on Tuesday, the board’s agenda indicates that the zoning-relief request will be referred to the City Plan Commission for review, as well. That means the BZA likely won’t take a final vote on this application until April. The two-story, five-unit, mixed-use property at 320 Ashmun St., meanwhile, is owned by a holding company controlled by Chaim Vail and Yonah Schwartz. Looking inside the window of Kay’s former salon. The post Elena’s Eyes 2nd Ice Cream Shop appeared first on New Haven Independent. ...read more read less