Gelato shop to open downtown

A California college student is targeting a spring opening for a downtown Springfield gelato shop.

Cameron Maes, an entrepreneurship major at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles who attended Missouri State University last semester, said his shop dubbed Maes Gelateria is slated to open May 1.

“I always wanted to start something in the food industry,” said Maes, noting his sister Alexis and brother Brett would manage the shop at the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Walnut Street while he’s at college. “It’s one of my favorite desserts, so I figured why not”

Next door to Web development firm Mostly Serious, Maes signed a five-year lease at $2,000 per month for the 2,000-square-foot space from building owner Nick Sibley.

Maes said 12-15 employees would make the Italian-style ice cream on-site and sell it to customers by the cup.

Declining to disclose his investment in the venture, Maes said he’s financing the business with a loan from Guaranty Bank.

This spring, wholesaler Benissimo Gelato and Sorbet also plans to get underway with new owners Center City Foods LLC.