Chappaqua residents were beyond excited to spot bright neon signs lighting up Frannie’s Goodie Shop when it celebrated its grand opening on June 4th, 2022. Throughout the summer, residents of Chappaqua dove into the numerous selections of frozen yogurt, ice cream, and candy offered at Frannie’s, enthusiastically exploring the self-serve format of the restaurant.
When school started this fall, students at Bell Middle School quickly added Frannie’s to their list of favorite Friday afterschool destinations: “My little sister really likes to visit Frannie’s. She likes sweet stuff… It’s easy to get to, so she goes there,” Greeley sophomore Arjun Menon notes. He thinks that the opening “will inspire more people to go to town more often.” In the past few years, popular town eateries such as Dunkin’ Donuts and Hall of Scoops closed down, leaving no store dedicated to sweets in the Chappaqua downtown area. With an array of desserts and treats, Frannie’s Goodie Shop is just what the town needed.
As a result of both COVID-19 and the town remodeling project, less pedestrians have graced the streets of downtown Chappaqua, but with the construction coming to a close, the redesigned sidewalks and roads are bringing the town together. Regular customers at neighboring restaurants such as Pizza Station, Bobo’s Cafe, and Taco Street are now just a few minutes away from a refreshing dessert to close out their meal. Florence Moraes, a junior at Greeley and employee at the Frannie’s, appreciates the new dynamic that the shop brings to the town: “I think Frannie’s has allowed the downtown area to become more popular for walking around… it has really improved the social atmosphere.”
While Frannie’s Goodie Shop proved a pleasant surprise to many Chappaqua residents, it isn’t exactly new; the Chappaqua location is an extension of the branch in Mount Kisco, which has remained a local favorite for over a decade. Originally founded by Frannie Albanese, a local entrepreneur with a passion for building memorable experiences for her customers, the Mount Kisco location offers more than 75 flavors and 100 toppings, with a philosophy best summed up by the slogan on the shop website: “A frozen yogurt masterpiece begins and ends with an empty cup… what happens in between is completely up to you.” Frannie’s Chappaqua branch follows similar principles, with a menu ranging from crepes to smoothies and a wall dedicated solely to candy. Desserts are charged based only on their weight at both Frannie’s locations, opening the doors to endless combinations and boundless creativity.
Going forward, Frannie’s Goodie Shop in Chappaqua hopes to continue delighting its customers, adding new flavors and items to its menu. Florence says that she and her fellow employees “really just love to work together and create a positive environment.” She adds that “it’s a great place to stop in and get a treat!” Frannie’s opening came at the perfect time for Chappaqua. The new shop has helped bring customers into town, not only spurring its own business, but also that of neighboring stores. This charming addition certainly serves as a refresher to the town’s atmosphere, and will no doubt remain a long-time favorite for residents with a sweet tooth.