By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
After being enamored with Hays, a Chinese Fort Hays State University student decided to open a bakery to give locals a small taste of Chinese desserts and drinks.
Sweet Zoo opened this month at 115 W. Eighth and, while business so far has been slow, curious customers have been interested in the combination of Chinese and American drink and desert items.
“Sometimes I miss Chinese desserts, so I wanted to open this kind of shop to share with my friends and share with Americans to get to know Chinese desserts,” said owner Yihong Chen.
She describes the business as a drink station and bakery shop and hopes the space will become a local gathering place.
“I just want people to come here, relax and chat together,” she said.
Opening the shop was also part of a personal desire, as well.
“I was studying at Fort Hays, I liked this city, so I wanted to stay,” Chen said.
She graduated with a degree in general studies from FHSU.
With the shop having only been open a few days, it is hard for Chen to have a complete sense of how the business might fare in the long run, but is hopeful once FHSU students return, business will pick up considerably.
She searched for the location for almost six months, comparing several possible locations, but proximity to FHSU was important.
“I wanted a shop near the college,” Chen said and, while several location may have suited her purpose, she landed on the Eighth Street shop.
“I think this one is better,” she said.
While the shop’s name reflects the decor and menu, it was not originally a part of the plan.
She first picked the name sweet, referencing the dessert aspect of her menu, then friends suggested the name zoo, and the business was tailored to that name, with deserts in the shape of animal cutouts and decor reflecting animals.
As time goes on, Chen plans on expanding the shop’s menu, but as the shop is being ran exclusively by Chen, a limited menu is being offered. When school begins, she expects help to come in that will allow her to expand hours and offerings.
She also believes a local server in the shop will help bring customers in.
“I think I need an American waitress to help,” to find if her offerings are in line with local tastes and assist in language concerns, Chen said.
Current hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, with breakfast items being served, but after FHSU goes back in session, she may cut the early hours, if there is no steady business and extend hours into the evening.
A grand opening is planned for Friday with free food offered from 11:30 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 2 p.m. for customers to try what they have to offer.