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Giacinta’s cafe has successful opening day in St. Clairsville

Grand opening celebrated Nov. 13

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The city has a new downtown cafe — Giacinta’s Gelato & Caffe opened its doors last week.

Cafe owner Audrey Brahler estimated around 800 customers came through the doors during the cafe’s opening day on Oct. 29. Business has remained steady, she said.

“It’s been amazing. … We had a great turnout. The community has been super supportive. We’re really grateful for everyone,” she added.

The gelato shop had a line stretched out the door before it even opened on its first day, and ended up selling out of two gelato flavors — salted caramel truffle and molten lava cake — but has since restocked. With St. Clairsville High School right down the road, the cafe has also become a popular afterschool spot for teens.

The cafe offers an assortment of gelato flavors, coffee, paninis and a soup of the day.

“We plan to keep introducing new things,” she said.

Brahler purchased the building, formerly Prime Time Video, in mid-April 2020. She spent the past year completely renovating the building and transforming it into the cafe, which now includes a large front deck addition. She originally planned to open earlier this year; however, due to some delays in construction, the opening was pushed.

Brahler said there is a pick-up window on the back side of the building that she plans to open in the spring.

Wendy Anderson, director of the St. Clairsville Area Chamber of Commerce, said she is “overjoyed” that there is a new business in town. She is also happy about the facelift the building received.

“It’s absolutely beautiful. So when you come into the city toward the courthouse, it is just a beautiful sight to see that beautiful building. She (Brahler) has done a wonderful job. It’s impacted a lot of people,” Anderson said, adding that the cafe has been busy since its opening.

Anderson commended Brahler for her work with remodeling the once dilapidated building and bringing a new business to the city.

“To have an entrepreneur that young is so refreshing to see. I’m extremely happy that she’s doing it,” Anderson said. “The pride is there, and I’m just really proud of her and what she’s going to accomplish.”

Anderson encourages anyone interested in moving their business to St. Clairsville to contact the chamber of commerce.

“We have a beautiful city and an extremely active chamber,” she said.

A grand opening was set to start at 10 a.m. Nov. 13 at the cafe, located at 166 E. Main St., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Brahler hoped to have live music during the event and to offer specials on either gelato or coffee.

The shop is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday- Thursday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.

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