Katie_Kouvelas by Freestyle Academy

The Los Altos Sweet Shop Written, Designed and Photographed by Katie Kouvelas

Dedication Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to dedicate my book to my fabulous teachers at Freestyle Academy, my amazing boss Sandra Colunga, and the wonderful owner and creator of the Sweet Shop Stacy Sullivan. Thank you so much for helping me throughout this unit, I am so lucky and grateful for the all of the support.

Acknowledgements This book would have not been possible without Stacy Sullivan, the delightful owner and creator of the Los Altos Sweet Shop. A special thanks to Sandra Colunga, the manager of the establishment, for taking time out of her schedule to interview with me. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d also like to thank Sandra for all of her hard work across the shop, and her dedication to make the Sweet Shop the best experience it can be for customers. A special thanks to all of the wonderful and enthusiastic employees at the shop, for keeping the Sweet Shop a lovely and fun place to work. A huge thanks to Mr. Florendo, Ms. Parkinson and Mr. Greco, my fabulous teachers at Freestyle Academy. Thank you so much for all of the help, inspiration and support throughout this project.

Table of Contents Foreword

...........................................................................................................................................................................

Introduction

page eight

........................................................................................................................................................................

Sour Cuts

page twelve

..............................................................................................................................................................

Sweet Beginnings

page ten

page sixteen

.............................................................................................................................

A True Community

page twenty

......................................................................................................................

Direct Donations

.....................................................................................................................

Just the Beginning

page twenty-two

page thirty

..................................................................................................................................

Foreword 1 ÅZ[\ PMIZL IJW]\ \PM ;_MM\ ;PWX VMIZTa the week it opened in our small town of Los Al\W[ +ITQNWZVQI 1 _I[ OQ^MV I ÆaMZ Ja I [UQTQVO ]Xperclassman wearing a vintage styled white shirt with red-capped sleeves while walking the streets of downtown on an average summer day. ConN][ML Ja Q\[ [XMKQÅK _PMZMIJW]\[ IVL TWKI\QWV 1 LQLV¼\ ÅVL Ua[MTN _ITSQVO \PZW]OP Q\[ LWWZ[ ]V\QT months after its opening. Surprised by its charming high-end decor and vast assortment of goods, I was overwhelmed by the surplus of options I had before UM 1¼U OWQVO \W JM PWVM[\ QV \PI\ IN\MZ Ua ÅZ[\ stroll through the shop, I left empty handed. Nonetheless, the Sweet Shop made an impression. Almost two years later, one of my best friends was hired and continued to rave about how much she loved her work experience at the shop. Highly interested, I begged her to put in a good word for me so we could be work together. When the shop needed extra help at an event they were running, my friend recommended me and I was given the opportunity to work. Falling more in love with the Sweet Shop’s character, I wrote the manager asking if they were in need of any new employees for the springtime. After a few months of exchanging emails, I was hired late January of 2012. 8

My decision to research the Sweet Shop for my documentary project at Freestyle Academy was sparked with my curiosity of the business’ story. When I read the sign on the wall, “All Proceeds Go To Local Schools,” I found myself asking my fellow employees if this was true. They all knew this was in fact the premise of the shop, but the details of its donations remained a mystery to nearly everyone. Still being new at work, I timidly asked my boss if I could research the shop for my project. The manager Sandra Colunga warmly accepted and I was able to start researching. Initially I asked myself, “Why does the Sweet Shop need to donate proceeds to local schools?” and realized the reason was quite clear. Many teachers at school drop subtle hints in class about not having the most up-to-date textbooks, technology, etc. After brief investigation I realized

the budget cuts in California public schools have put a threat to the quality of education, and the Sweet Shop offers direct donations to help provide the most advanced learning tools for students. Candy, pastries and coffee are universal examples of joy for most people and the way the Sweet Shop takes these treats and brings them back full KQZKTM \W JMVMÅ\ \PM KWUU]VQ\a Q[ IV QV[XQZI\QWV NWZ W\PMZ businesses and customers. The Sweet Shop’s purpose is current and relevant to the problems our state is facing, offering a warm and sweet solution for the problem at hand. I’ve learned through this process of researcing the Sweet Shop that when a person knows the story behind something, a person appreciates it more.

My respect for the establishment, my bosses, my team members and customers has grown tremendously throughout this experience. I am so proud to be an employee of the shop, and so lucky to have been given the opportunity to research its upbringing.

Introduction Nestled away in a quaint Los Altos neighborhood discreetly hides the Los Altos Sweet Shop, an enchanting cottage that offers both sweets and savories to local residents. A seemingly high end candy store with well-priced frozen yogurt and artisanal savories, this shop’s true treat TQM[ PQLLMV \W UW[\ ÅZ[\ \QUM O]M[\[ 1V I _WZTL _PMZM UWVey is the greatest incentive, the Sweet Shop challenges these ideals with a new kind of business model. “All Proceeds Go To Local Schools,” reads a wooden sign, concealed away in \PM ]XXMZ TMN\ PIVL KWZVMZ WN \PM [PWX ,QNÅK]T\ \W JMTQM^M \PQ[ ITT]ZQVO M[\IJTQ[PUMV\ [MTÆM[[Ta Z]V[ I[ I VWV XZWÅ\ J][QVM[[ [QUXTa \W JMVMÅ\ TWKIT [KPWWT[ As California faces incredibly damaging budget cuts threatening the quality of education for young students, the Sweet Shop addresses this issue with an incentive greater than money itself. The objective of a quality educational M`XMZQMVKM NWZ \PM KPQTLZMV WN \PM VMQOPJWZPWWL ÅTTML _Q\P vast opportunities for growth, is what motivates the Sweet Shop to succeed as a small business. As an employee of this establishment, my job is to embrace work with a smile and satisfy all customers whose money is going to an extraordinary cause. Although a rare business, the Los Altos Sweet Shop is able to offer a solution to detrimental budget cuts in local schools, emphasize the importance of education in children and also bring together a community.

Cake pops are a special seasonal treat at the Sweet Shop

Sour Cuts California’s struggle with budget cuts began in 2008 under governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. While the majority of the Democratic Party fought to minimize cuts to programs, the Republican Party fought to accept IVa QVKZMI[M QV \I`M[ <PM UIRWZ [W]ZKM WN \PM LMÅKQ\ began with the decline in state revenues going from over 100 billion dollars to about 85 billion. This decrease was a direct result of the decline in personal income taxes, corporate taxes and other taxes as well (“2008-11 CA Budget Crisis”). In attempt to close the gap in California’s budget, California school’s budgets decreased by 2.1 billion dollars (“Budget Cuts California Education”).

In the state of California, K-12 education takes up 20.5% of total budget expenditures. The funding per pupil for California K-12 has declined roughly by 5%, from $8,235 per pupil to $7,693. Jerry Brown, California’s elected governor from 2010 to the present, has proposed regressed taxes that could possibly result in as much as $8 billion to be cut from schools in this coming year, a decline of per pupil spending to $7,300, a 10% drop over four years (“Public Education Budget Cuts”). The pressure caused by the budget cuts has affected districts all over the state of California. According to State Superintended of Public Instruction, Tom Torlak[WV \PQZ\a XMZKMV\ WN X]XQT[ IZM I\\MVLQVO I ÅVIVKQITTa troubled school. “It’s making it harder for our students to do things we all once took for granted, like seeing a school counselor, getting help to make a pathway to to college, getting time to ask a teacher a questions in our

ever-interestingly crowded classrooms and learning from an up-to-date textbook,” says Torlakson, “the bottom line is the schools are suffering cuts that profoundly affect students day in and day out.” Torlakson continues, “That’s not the world-class education California’s children deserve. We must commit ourselves as a state to ÅVLQVO \PM ZM[W]ZKM[ _M VMML \W UISM W]Z [KPWWT[ OZMI\ again” (“California’s K-12 Education System”). While once stable teaching jobs are threatened, the quality of education is threatened as well. In our own community, the Mountain View Los Altos (MVLA) High School Foundation has pledged one million dollars to enrich the academic experience for all students in the MVLA district. The money has been put toward reducing class size, purchasing new textbooks, establishing an online grading system, provide college preparation assistance and maintaining active Tutorial

The fountain at the Sweet Shop is a favorite destination for children to play

Centers (“MVLA High School Foundation”). The state of California does not provide for these enhanced educational tools, and therefore these responsibilities are left to the community to fund.

The Sweet Shopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beautiful exterior

The Sweet Shopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beautiful interior

Sweet Beginnings

With this dilemma, the Los Altos Sweet Shop found its purpose. Located in North Los Altos, this local historical landmark has never looked better. Previously a local mini-market known as “Foodland,” children of the community formerly found \PMQZ [_MM\ Å` _ITSQVO \PZW]OP \PM candy aisles of this hole-in-the-wall convenience store. The current owner, Stacy Sullivan, was one of them. 16

When Foodland closed its doors in 2004, the building found itself empty and gathering dust until 2008. Seeing the once loved property sit abandoned was enough of an incentive for Stacy Sullivan and her family to jump at the opportunity to purchase the property. With an idea in mind and two years of development, construction and design, the Los Altos Sweet Shop opened its seamless doors

on August 26, 2009 (“Los Altos Sweet Shop”). From the outside, the Sweet Shop portrays the look of a modern and new New England cottage. With crisp mahogany shingles and two welcoming white awnings protruding effortlessly to provide shade, curious pedestrians are lured into the mysterious world of this shop. The simple white front door leads customers into a

utopia of novel sweets and freshly baked pasteries. “Life is Sweet,” illuminates the back wall, a title to the assortment of candy sorted into jars placed against it. Lightly distressed teal-painted wood panels adorn the walls, counters and main menu. A Dip N’ Dots freezer lies next to a broad refrigerator, which offers both classic and modern drinks such as cream soda as well as inventive products like locally bottled ginger soda. A bright red gum ball machine sits next to a table displaying an assortment of local high-end chocolates, the perfect gift for a more mature crowd of patron. The front counter displays fresh golden croissants, baked daily within the store. Other baked goods such as moist lemon poppy seed pound cake, ÆISa KQVVIUWV UWZVQVO J]V[ LMV[M raspberry scones, and buttery ham and cheese pastries are delivered daily from local bakeries. Santa Cruz’s Verve coffee beans are served in every coffee drink, made the real way by baristas without an “easy” button. Bright pink top cake-cookies from Los Gatos’ Icing on the Cake are dazzled with rainbow sprinkles and displayed above the abundance of frozen yogurt toppings.

A peek of the old-fashioned candy jars at the Sweet Shop

Four large yogurt machines offer an alternative to satisfy all customer preferMVKM[# ^IVQTTI KPWKWTI\M WZQOQVIT \IZ\ IVL I [MI[WV ÆI^WZ ^IZaQVO NWZ ZML ^MT^M\ cake to grapefruit sorbet. The simple one room offers a plethora of questions \W ÅZ[\ \QUM K][\WUMZ[ ITUW[\ IT_Ia[ IV[_MZML Ja \PM MV\P][QI[\QK MUXTWaMM[ behind the counter. Guests have the option to enjoy their sweets both inside and outside. The outside dining area provides “dog parking” for K9 guests, as well as patio seating for human guests. While mothers and fathers enjoy their warm coffee drinks and beautiful sunshine, young children spend their time exploring the decorative fountain, a small but signature feature to the Sweet Shop’s amiable personality. Coffee drinks are offered for here or to go, while lunch is served daily from 11am-2pm with an assortment of artisanal paninis and bowls of hot creamy tomato soup. 17

The Los Altos Sweet Shop is the only location in the area to serve Santa Cruzâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Verve Coffee

An assortment of baked goods delivered freshly throughout the week from local bakeries

A True Community

Entering the Sweet Shop on a Friday afternoon is a clear display of the community’s passion for this establishment. Junior high students swarm all corners of the shop, boasting frozen yogurt and hot drink orders to the smiling team members behind the counter. Groups of friends split the cost of their surplus of candy and cookies, each taking turns weekly purchasing their group’s mountain of sugar. Tongues are dyed blue by the notorious blue-raspberry “Frostie” cream sodas, the almost permanent accessory for kids while they explore the shop. The life that is found in the Sweet Shop during 20

these afternoons is one of the most unique displays of community in Los Altos. The store is transformed into a [WKQIT J]\\MZÆa I XTIKM NWZ NZQMVL[ \W OI\PMZ IVL UMUWries to be made. <PM \Z]M [QOVQÅKIVKM WN \PM ;_MM\ ;PWX Q[ [\MIT\PQTa LQ[XTIaML QV \_W IZMI[ IKZW[[ \PM [\WZM <PM ÅZ[\ I sign stating “All Proceeds Go To Local Schools,” remains hidden and nearly overlooked because of its unbelievable generosity. The second, the tip jar reads, “Any spare change will go to the schools! Sweet!” The jar offers the reassurance to the wooden sign.

A display of the plethora of candy offered at the shop

Direct Donations The decision for the Sweet Shop to donate all proceeds was an easy choice for Stacy Sullivan and her family. “For Stacy personally it’s more about giving back to the community,” says Sandra Colunga, the proud manager of the shop. “She didn’t open up the Sweet Shop to make money. It’s hard to make a lot of money off of candy, unless you’re Pinkberry or a big corporation. It’s a tiny little shop, we’re in a residential area, and we’re not located downtown. It is purely to give back to the community. She has school age kids, and for her giving back to the schools was her best way to give back. It’s something current for her, her kids at school and it’s something important to her.” The Sweet Shop remains a new business, having opened its doors less than threeyears ago, it has yet \W \ISM QV [QOVQÅKIV\ XZWKMML[ NWZ LWVI\QWV[ I\ \PQ[ \QUM Nonetheless, the small glass tip jar located to the left of the cash register proves to be the underhanded hero of the store, having accumulated sizable quantities of money throughout the years, all of which has been donated to local schools in the most direct ways possible. 22

“Stacy and her family didn’t want the money going to a foundation. It actually goes to something more speKQÅK \PIV R][\ [WUM ¹XW\ WN OWTLº [WUMWVM MT[M [XMVL[ and you don’t really know where it goes,” says Sandra. “None of the tips go to the Sweet Shop employees, the entire collection of tips goes to a school of choice. <PM ÅZ[\ aMIZ _M _MZM WXMVML ;\IKa UM\ _Q\P members of Santa Rita Elementary School, obviously one of our biggest customers, and talked to some of their people about what their needs were. One of their needs was to get a Smart Board (about $1,900). So, again, \PI\ OWM[ \W UWZM [XMKQÅKITTa ¹_PI\ LWM[ aW]Z [KPWWT need?” and not just “here’s money to just go spend.”” The second year, with nearly double the accumulated tip money, the Sweet Shop was able to donate a $1,900 Interactive Presentation Presenter to Egan Junior High, and $1,900 to purchase a much needed Smart Board to Terman Junior High School in Palo Alto.

(Above) The Sweet Shop’s sign (Right) The Sweet Shop’s tip jar

The budget cuts in our local districts have left schools able to provide the essential learning tools for students, but cease to provide the exceptional and innovative tools that promote success among peers. The Sweet Shop is able to expose students to the excitement of new technologies. Devices such as Smart Boards inspire students to participate actively and act as tools for achievement in classrooms. Kids desire to raise their hands so they have a chance to write on the board in front of the classroom and impress their peers. Although seemingly something so minor, these interactive tools have the ability to provoke enthusiasm and empower students to crave to learn. These donations are the start of what is still to come, and an essential motivation for the Sweet Shopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s promising future. 25

“It’s like the “Cheers” bar, but we’re not a bar. Everyone comes in and they know each other’s name. It kind of feels like that.” -Sandra Colunga, Manager

“I have kids that have been coming here since third, fourth grade, and now they’re asking me when they can work here. So for me, it’s the people, they’re the best part.” -Sandra Colunga, Manager

Just the Beginning My time at the shop has been a remarkable work experience. While I am considered a new kid, and not complaining, I am still so honored to see the store thrive. The Sweet Shop gives me the ability to help better a person’s day by putting a smile on the faces of the shiest of customers. Going to work is exciting and an opportunity for me to connect to my community and peers. The Sweet Shop staff is one of the warmest, most welcoming (and no pun intended) sweetest groups of workers a business could ask for.

The Los Altos Sweet Shop is a business that is unique in many ways. Not only is it unique because it Q[ VWV XZWÅ\ J]\ IT[W JMKI][M WN \PM QV\MV\QWV[ WN \PM shop. The shop is genuine and its leaders are passionate. The effort put into the shop is solely done to better the community around it. “You’re way too young for this,” jokes Sandra, “but Stacy’s husband has always related it to this. It’s like the “Cheers” bar, but we’re not a bar. Everyone comes in and they know each other’s name. It kind of feels like that.” The Sweet Shop exists so people can come together and enjoy something universal. It is a place for families to have memories and a place for friends to laugh and enjoy themselves. 30

“I have kids that have been coming here since third, fourth grade, and now they’re asking me when they can work here. So for me, it’s the people,” smiles Sandra, “They’re the best part.” ?PQTM Q\ KIVVW\ JM [IQL \PI\ I VWV XZWÅ\ KIVLa store is the solution to California school budget cuts, it can be said that it is a giant leap in the right direction. There is no true solution to the problem at hand, and WVTa \QUM _QTT \MTT _PMV \PM MKWVWUa _QTT ÆW]ZQ[P \W \PM point when there will be less drastic cuts in school systems. At this time the best thing for people to do is to come together and show support for their communities and schools. 31

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