I’m a big fan of the hammond trail, and love to ride the trail from time to time on weekends. In fact if you’re not familiar with the Hammond trail, be sure to visit my article with lots of images on what the trail looks like! When I go on these bicycle rides I enjoy stopping at various businesses for a sandwich, coffee, etc. I like to express in this manner how reasonable, and fun it is to do such normal things by bicycle. During the process it also allows me to evaluate road infrastructure, and if the business is bicycle friendly, or not.
So let’s get to the ice cream! Certainly many of us can enjoy bicycles and ice cream! That’s why when you’re on the Hammond trail you should consider making a stop at the Sweet Spot ice cream and sandwich shop in Mckinleyville.
The Sweet Spot serves Dryers ice cream, and various other items served(see the first image above). I like in the ice cream section that they have many size options. So if you just want to wet your whistle just a bit, rest assured a very small cup is waiting for you. As well as larger sizes for the real ice cream lover, with lots of flavor options. At this time I have not had any of the food items, or coffee – perhaps on my next visit. During my short visit many customers had walked in to enjoy the menu options!
The indoor space has spacious floor area, and seating. The far side has video games and a pool table for the children, and young at heart. The service, and space in general was very friendly. Lots of windows next to the seating both on the street side, and parking lot side. The business does not have any dedicated bicycle parking, so no racks to lock up to. However the store has lots of windows right next to the seating. This area is also away from the street side, and it is a low traffic area (not in downtown). So my assessment is that you can feel comfortable with leaving your bikes next to the windows, and just keep an eye on them.
The store is .6 of a mile from the Hammond trail, so not far at all. You simply head towards town from Hiller Park on Hiller road, cross over Mckinleyville Ave, then the Sweet Spot is on the right side of the street (see on google maps).
Hiller road does not have a bicycle lane, however a mostly healthy width shoulder does exist for non motorized users. Also it’s generally a fairly low volume roadway for automobile traffic(since it’s just outside the main part of town). I find the automobile traffic that does exist to be friendly as they pass bicycle riders with plenty of space between us(since the shoulder generally allows). I certainly would urge families on the Hammond trail to give the Sweet Spot a visit by bike! Mckinleyville will see greater wealth when the community implements safer access to the trail for non motorized users, while also increasing bicycle friendliness on the business district side.
To the greater community I would encourage activism for a dedicated bicycle lane on this road, and perhaps even create a buffered bicycle lane (if overall street width allows). More safe connections to the Hammond trail encourages more people to use non motorized travel, it’s good for people, and the local economy. It would also be great to see a sidewalk for pedestrian mobility. I’ve seen many children walking, and biking on the Hiller road shoulder. It’s a great road for safer mobility for all since one end has lots of commerce, and the other end has the trail.
To the owners of the Sweet Spot. I would encourage you to consider some bicycle racks for bicycle customers. This is a great step to take to show bicycle people that you support their transportation choices. You have a wonderful space to the left of your handicap auto parking, which would be a great spot for bicycle racks. Bicycle racks will make riders as customers feel more comfortable knowing the bikes will be safely locked if they choose to do so. To bicycle people this basic infrastructure at a store can make a world of difference in welcoming more bicycle customers. If you were to improve bicycle parking, and attract more bicycle customers, you could become even more bicycle friendly – such as making available a bike pump, if “mom or dad forgot to pump up her childs tire”, etc. Offer very small discounts to bicycle customers would also encourage more trail customers.
In short I think the Sweet Spot has huge potential for more business from bicycle customers. This space really has potential to enhance the environment for bicycle customers, which would equal more customers.
So bicycle people on the Hammond trail don’t forget to visit the Sweet Spot while you’re out and about!
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Visit the Sweet Spot on Facebook, or add more reviews for them on Yelp.
photo credit – The Sweet Spot facebook page
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Related news –
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