Ice cream, classic candy coming to quaint CT town on river. Patio called ideal for ‘people watching’

Ice cream, gelato and old fashioned single candy classics are coming to a bustling eatery situated right by the a bike trail on a river and with an outdoor patio reviewers say is perfect for “people watching.”

LaSalle Market and Del i will begin selling the treats May 15 from a downstairs space that will be known as, “LaSalle Only Sweeter.” It is near the Farmington River Bike Trail.

Ice cream was sold out of the space pre pandemic by a previous owner.

“So we’re not reinventing the wheel, but locals are saying, ‘What a great idea to reopen the ice cream shop,” said William Green, president and CEO of RW Solutions, Inc. which owns the business.

LaSalle Market and Deli is located in quaint Collinsville , a bustling, historic section of Canton that is a popular gathering place for locals and others.

To start out, LaSalle Only Sweeter will carry eight flavors of ice cream, four of gelato and 25 types of candy pieces similar to what was once known as “penny candy.”

The high-quality, small batch ice cream made by Gifford’s ice cream in Maine will for now include chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, cookie dough, flying fish (gummies), Monster (with M&M’s), toasted coconut and Maine blueberry. They will also have vanilla soft serve.

For now the toppings will be chocolate and rainbow sprinkles and the choices of cup or cone.

The gelato, provided by Dolce Vita Gelato of Connecticut will include the flavors of chocolate, salted caramel, berry and pistachio.

The candy choices, to be sold by stuffing a box for $5 will vary, but generally include, Bit O Honey, Lemonheads, Swedish Fish, Sour Patch Kids, Smarties, Warheads, salt water taffy, Airheads, Starburst.

They will also sell the kid-popular Avery soda out of Avery’s Beverages, based in New Britain. and coffee.

LaSalle Market and Deli was previously owned by Scott Kaminski and Eileen O’Connor-Kaminski.

In December 2023, the not-for-profit RW Solutions, Inc. purchased the eatery, made some updates and held a grand opening March 12, 2024.

RW Solutions, headquartered in New Britain, provides jobs and training for people with intellectual and physical disabilities across 26 states in several types of employment. CW Resources also provides more than one 1 million meals for the elderly in Connecticut, and more elsewhere, Green said.

All the proceeds from the businesses, including LaSalle’s, are reinvested into the mission. Hence, the LaSalle’s slogan, “Tastes good, does good.”

The deli, a popular eatery in Collinsville, serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and gets good reviews online these days, both for their food and location. Some like the outdoor patio, but many have said they love the “people watching.”

LaSalle Only Sweeter will be downstairs from the deli in what amounts to a walk out basement, Green said. The space has seating for about 15, but many are likely to opt for taking their ice cream outside, he said.

The deli is right next to the end of the Farmington River Bike Trail , visited by thousands on many days, Green said.

Green said about 60 percent of people with disabilities who want to work are unemployed.

His company is trying to change that with opportunity, competitive wages and benefits.

“Everyone has a right to be a contributing member of our society, ” he said. “We all have to pay our bills. We need a sense of purpose.”

Green said people with disabilities often make great employees.

“The vast majority of my employees come to work with a smile on their face,” he said.