Page 13 - Classically Carolina 2019

DOWNTOWN

“While talking to my husband, we said we needed Tables in the front of the store are set up with games
a cupcake store or a sweets store in downtown for customers to play as they enjoy their lunch and/
Camden. We were just driving around and we saw or a sweet treat.
this place. He said ‘it’s too big for just cupcakes.
Why don’t you sell something else?’ I said ‘like Looking back on opening her business, Caraminas
what?’ He said, ‘ice cream.’ So, everything started says patience is a very important quality to have.
from there.”
“Opening a business is hard. It takes a lot of time
Caraminas and her husband took ice cream-making and effort. It’s a big investment and involves a lot
classes, bought equipment and did research on how of tears. Getting a customer base comes with time.
to experiment with different flavors. It’s not an instant thing. You have to be constant
and patient.”
“I remember when we just opened, a big company
that supplies food for restaurants came here. The Caraminas enthusiastically gives her employees
representative wanted me to buy their brand ice credit for Sweet Lili’s’ successful four years.
cream,” Caraminas recalls. “He said, ‘You won’t be
able to make your own ice cream. Why don’t you “We have a great team. The people who work here are
just buy ours and only make a signature flavor.’ I like a family. Meagan, Debbi and Sunny ... everyone
got a little scared and doubtful … I said, maybe he’s loves them, and we receive great comments about
right. But now I would like to see him again and the customer service we have here. And there’s my
prove to him that he was wrong. We can make so mom in the kitchen, Vicky. We really care about
many flavors. We have over 100 different flavors.” each other.”

Rounding out Sweet Lili’s menu are hot lunch She also believes Camden has a lot to offer to both
favorites like hot dogs, chili dogs and pizza. visitors and residents.

Caraminas says she wanted to create a welcoming “Camden is a charming place. It’s a small, charming
environment, especially for children, at Sweet Lili’s. town with lots of history -- a great destination town.”

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