By Phil Corso
Simon and Cindy Wu, of Little Neck, have been dishing out treats in Bayside since 1985, but at three different locations. The duo celebrated their latest milestone at the end of August when they reopened Sweet Adele’s in its newest home, at 73-24 Bell Blvd.
“We’re much closer to the action,” said Simon Wu, who immigrated to New York City with his wife from Taiwan in the late 1970s. “This is a better location, well worth the move.”
Sweet Adele’s has become a go-to spot for anyone with a sweet tooth in northeast Queens, offering everything from traditional candy to chocolate-covered pretzels, home-baked goods and bubble tea.
“We just adapt to what our customers want,” Cindy Wu said of how she and her husband stocked the shelves since they arrived on Bell. “Over the years, we tried to offer something unique. People have seemed to like it.”
She also said the store has shifted its gears as of late to offer more sugar-free options so parents with wound-up toddlers could still buy them a treat on the go.
The store has collected itself a generous group of loyal customers, its owners said, making it a staple in the community.
Cindy Wu said her husband has become quite the popular candy man, known for forming personal relationships with his clientele. She said customers who used to come into the store as teenagers now come in with children of their own who view Simon almost as an unofficial uncle of theirs.
“This is a very nice area to raise a family and run a business,” Cindy Wu said. “We just want to give thanks to our community so they know how happy we are to have them as friends and customers.”
City Councilman Mark Weprin (D-Oakland Gardens) even went so far as to visit the new location and pose for photos with the mom-and-pop owners, celebrating the new location.
“Sweet Adele’s is a neighborhood gem, Cindy and Simon’s fresh products are what make this place so popular and special,” Weprin said. “Sweet Adele’s caters to the booming and diverse residents of the community.”
Sweet Adele’s first opened at 73-22 Bell Blvd. in 1985, but then moved in 2003 into a bigger space at 73-29 Bell Blvd. The owners were on the move again, moving in mid-August to their current spot, which is even larger. The new spot, the Wu family said, allowed for more mingling room for customers and even a sit-down area for anyone to enjoy their treats in-house.
For more information, Sweet Adele’s can be reached at 718-479-8282.
Reach reporter Phil Corso by e-mail at pcorso@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
