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Time to 'chillz' out, Barrie. Your dessert lounge is here

This week's Mid-Week Mugging features frosty favourites from Chillz Dessert Lounge

The wait is over and now Barrie can Chillz out.

The founders of the bright and colourful Swirleez Frozen Yogurt are getting ready for the opening of the new dark and intimate Chillz Dessert Lounge this Friday. Owner Teresa Kelly Woolard was putting the final touches this morning on the shop before the big day at the end of the week.

“I’m excited but starting to realize that Friday may be bigger than we thought,” said Woolard. “As much as I wanted Friday to be a soft launch, it looks like its going to be a grand opening in essence; an event page was set-up just yesterday and there’s already 100 people that have joined and through word of mouth, more have said they’ll be here. We have had all kinds of activity on social media about people tagging others and just a lot of hype and excitement overall.”

The process began two years ago when Woolard had plans for a dessert menu and some place people could go to enjoy a quiet date night or group evening out. While she and her team contemplated bringing the idea into Swirleez, Woolard admits that the treat spot at 89 Dunlop St. E. in Unit 101 was already becoming very popular and well-established in the community; the new place needed to stand alone even though is right next door.

“We had already done a great job branding Swirleez as a frozen yogurt spot where people can design their own treat and add what they need on the spot,” said Woolard. “The concept of what we wanted for a dessert lounge was different than what we already had; I wanted something more intimate, more sit-down with a sexy type atmosphere. Chillz has a menu with plated desserts, some great coffees and potentially cocktails and a glass of wine. We already have the happy and fun place for families and kids and now we will have this really cool spot to head to for a more grown up crowd.”

Woolard says that even though her original thought for Chillz was adults and the nighttime crowd, she is already seeing that her loyal Swirleez customers are looking forward to being at the opening on Friday.

“As much as I thought that Chillz would be more of an adult crowd, we have started to see the younger crowd asking about it too,” said Woolard. “My 19-year-old daughter and her friends are so excited for it and parents are looking forward to being able to sit down in a quiet spot where their children can relax with a dessert. We have people booking girl’s night out events and things of that nature. That said, we are anticipating a mix of people and that suits us just fine.”

The menu for Chillz has been all over their Instagram and other platforms and ranges from hors d’oeuvres, chocolate fondue, sticky toffee pudding and other exotic frozen desserts all to be enjoyed by the fireplace that’s ready for the cold winter. Woolard is a big supporter of the downtown and is happy that her locations are hitting the area at the right time.

“Swirleez opened and then we found out about the revitalization of Memorial Square, which when finished will be fantastic for us and the city itself,” said Woolard. “Chillz will be opening just a week before the awesome WinterFest which will bring in so many people from the region. That is another thing we are proud of is the many events that Barrie puts on and the fact that so many people are making us their go-to spot is very humbling.”

Chillz Dessert Lounge is located at 89 Dunlop St. E. in Unit 102. Check out their website for more information.