MMELO, a Columbus native’s stylized approach to confections and marshmallows, has officially opened its doors today at its new Downtown location.
Lead Confectioner and Owner, Michelle Allen, has learned over the past year just how much it takes to get a brick and mortar business off the ground. A full time job in itself, launching MMELO took nearly a year of planning, collaborating, fundraising and, probably most importantly, recipe building for the season to come.
“Buttered rum caramels, earl grey and lavender tea cakes, pear and rosemary tarts,” Allen said. “It’s a nice collection. Of course I still get calls all the time about our dark chocolate espresso cookies with the marshmallow centers.”
A soft opening preceded the grand opening to allow Allen and her staff to work out the kinks that come with opening a new business. After that, MMELO will be open Sunday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5 or 6 p.m. (Exact hours have yet to be determined.) Allen said she’d like to do pop-ups; and after establishing this Downtown location, plans are in the works to open more MMELOs in the area and, Allen hopes, in the state and nationwide.
“MMELO is an idea that I very much would like to grow,” she said. “I’d like to develop a food brand that’s known for its refinement and for the natural ingredients that we use.”
Allen first established MMELO in Barcelona, only it went by Taste BCN and catered corporate events, weddings and private dinner parties. Homesick after 12 years in Europe, and after seeing almost every part of the world, Allen said she was ready to come back home and bring her marshmallows with her. Her time spent abroad influenced her recipe creation, she said, allowing her to synthesize unexpected, complimentary flavors and spices.
“It has informed my tastes and the kind of food that I make,” Allen said. “I feel in many respects that I’m bringing a lot of what I’ve experienced back to my hometown.”
MMELO is now open at 445 N. High Street (the entrance is on Vine Street, or in the rear of the building).
For more information, visit www.mmelo.co.
Photos by Walker Evans.
Update (11/28 11:15am) : Additional information and photos added to article.
