Veronica Figueroa serves sweets at the restaurant's grand opening on Sept. 25.
It’s hard to keep Shyheim Segura away from the confections behind Avalon Sweet Spot’s dessert counter.
“Ooh, something new came in?” the slender 15-year-old said, his face nearly pressed to the glass as he examined the vanilla and carrot cupcakes adorned with scary faces for Halloween.
“This kid loves junk food,” said mother and co-owner Veronica Figueroa, adding that he nearly won the sundae-eating contest they had during their grand opening Sept. 25 by plowing through a 15-scoop dish. He finished it, but not in time to beat family friend Richard Ortega.
Friends often refer to the family as the “Fun Figueroas.” Veronica said it’s because their life is so far from ordinary with such a packed schedule, whether it’s a football game, someone’s practice or a late-night, after-hours chow session at their new business, Sweet Spot, on Tanja King Boulevard in downtown Avalon Park.
“We’re not normal,” Veronica said.
“We’re trying to get a reality show,” added Tony, her husband of six years and co-owner.
No matter how chaotic their lives become — especially also owning Avalon Town Center Realty, a block away from Sweet Spot — they still find time for each other.
“At first I thought it was ridiculous,” Segura said about his parents opening the second business. “One business was already too much on their shoulders. But now I see them every day because I work with them.”
He and Angelica, his 15-year-old stepsister, work at the restaurant and are treated like regular employees. They are paid the same rate, are on the schedule and have to give ample notice when they want to take off work.
It also raised the kids’ social status. Veronica said their children have always been natural leaders and would often have crowds of kids around them as they walked home from school to their Avalon Park home. Now that their parents own a dessert spot that beckons kids to hang out — it’s common to see kids sitting in the restaurant’s outdoor furniture, at least one perched on their bicycle — they’re wildly popular.
“They’re the coolest kids around,” Tony said.
Social perks aside, the kids are invested in the business performing well. “Angelica will post on Facebook when we have deals and specials. They see the value in people coming in,” Veronica said.
Segura is using this work experience to help him form his own business ideas. “I want to open a tattoo parlor that’s also a barber shop,” said the Timber Creek sophomore, beaming.
Family ties
Segura would be a third-generation entrepreneur in Veronica’s family. Her mother opened the first Hispanic grocery store in Columbus, Ga., a town close to Fort Benning, which brought in many Hispanic military personnel because the area lacked businesses and culture to cater to them.
To buy the store’s supplies, she and her family would drive to Orlando, the closest place to get Hispanic products. Eventually, her mother started her own promotions company, organizing art and music events for the local Hispanic community. Veronica started working for her when she was 12.
“I worked events when my friends were hanging out. My parents taught me that it’s a family business. Everyone pitches in,” Veronica said. “My mom has been my mentor when it comes to business. I always consult her.”
Her mother, Gloria Cedeno, said Veronica didn’t just work the cash register. Even at such a young age, she showed interest in the managerial side of the business, such as making sure the right products landed on the shelves. That pleasantly surprised Cedeno.
“I’m very proud of my daughter and what’s she’s doing,” she said. “She’s a very successful person. She always has a goal in life and she always meets that goal. She’s a very strong woman.”
Trendy treats
For a while, Tony refused to consider offering frozen yogurt in Sweet Spot. They were an ice cream place, and that’s the way it would stay. Plus, each yogurt machine cost $10,000.
It was Segura who finally changed his mind. “That’s in right now,” he said, shrugging.
Cupcakes are also in right now. The Figueroas sell products from Chocolate Provocateur, a bakery in College Park that makes gourmet, vegan and gluten-free cupcakes and other trendy desserts, such as cake pops. Soon they’ll carry “sugar-free” desserts, made with natural products such as apple sauce for sweetness. They even stock their dessert case with dog-friendly cupcakes, made with typical ingredients, including eggs and flour but without sugar and topped with a piece of chicken jerky.
“We decided to go with [Chocolate Provocateur] because she caters to the health conscious. Their products are fresh with no preservatives,” Tony said. “This area is very health conscious. Right now you have to drive far away to get something vegan or gluten-free.”
A new look
Sweet Spot sports hot pink and black walls, funky furniture and a cool, urban vibe. Colorful globe lanterns hang from the ceiling and a large-scale city painting makes up the back wall. They haven’t changed the ambiance in the outdoor seating area of the restaurant, but the Figueroas promise that it’s coming soon.
“The atmosphere they put in there is just a lot more fun and inviting,” said friend and regular customer Don Petrucci. “They are both warm, friendly people and a lot of fun to be around. They brought that attitude to Avalon Sweet Spot.”