Yesenia Rodriguez, founder of Sweets & Things, will open her first brick-and-mortar cafe and dessert bar in Cypress Hills, Brooklyn next month. Known for her creative and eye-catching sweet treats, Sweets & Things offers a variety of dessert options like tres leches cake, chocolate-covered strawberries and decorated sugar cookies. Yesenia’s creative approach to baking brings a unique twist to dessert styling, making her creations both visually stunning and delicious. This new storefront marks an exciting opening to the Cypress Hills community, where Rodriguez grew up. Rodriguez will give customers a taste of her heritage by offering imported coffee grown from a farm located just outside of Nizao, Dominican Republic (D.R.). Upcoming additions to the bakery will include cocktails, community-driven events such as small business Saturdays, and a backyard space opening in the spring.
Yesenia Rodriguez, a Queens local with Dominican roots, is sharing her heritage through her small business, Sweets & Things, which specializes in traditional Latin desserts like tres leches, offering more than 30 flavors. The idea began after rediscovering an old banana pudding recipe. She started selling desserts in Mason jars for $5, quickly selling out and officially launching her business. Rodriguez’s creations include seasonal flavors like pumpkin spice, piña colada, and strawberry tres leches. Her business is a tribute to her Dominican culture, her family, and especially her mother, who inspires her culinary passion. Despite her beginnings, balancing a full-time job at The Port Authority and working out of a small Queens apartment, Rodriguez remains dedicated to her dream of growing her business.
Sweets & Things whisks you into a world of whimsy with a refined art deco feel, complete with iconic colors and a pop art aesthetic. Designed by Yesenia herself, the 20-seat 790 square foot space is decked out with soft pink walls that radiate with a hue from bright neon light fixtures, modern velvet chairs, colorful ceiling hanging cylinders, while the walls are adorned with cafe-themed art. Moka pots, called cafeteras in D.R., with one-of-a-kind hand-painted designs from Dominican artist Mary Lantigua adorn an arched wall and are available for purchase for the following prices: 1-cup $25, 3-cup $45, 6-cup $65. The shop itself is a slice of cake, carefully slivered and balancing the playful innocence of pop art with the elegance and structured beauty of art deco.
Sweets & Things specializes in artisan desserts that feature a variety of flavors such as 4 Leches, Banana Pudding, Cookies and Cream, Ube, Guava, Pina Colada and many more seasonal flavors. Also on the menu is the chocolate-covered strawberries, intricately decorated sugar cookies, freshly bottled Coquito, otherwise known as a Puerto Rican Egg Nog that’s offered in several classic as well as seasonal flavors such as Nutella, Pistachio, Pumpkin Spice, Dulce de Leche, and several other irresistible flavors.
Coffee imported from the Dominican Republic is on the menu alongside Espresso, 4 Leches Lattes, Pumpkin Spice Chai and Matcha Lattes. Iced and hot teas in flavors ranging from Earl Gray and Peppermint, to Ginger with Lemongrass and Chamomile are also available in addition to Hot Chocolate, and Lavender, Vanilla and Blueberry Japanese Ceremonial Matcha options
Sweets & Things is located at 2715 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11207.
Days & Hours of Operation: Seven days a week from 7am – 5pm, except major holidays.
