Homepage

Businesses Are on the Rise Downtown: The Story of Glazed and Confused Glazed and Confused Reflects Growing Downtown Business Boom

By Cameron Tirado

People stand shoulder to shoulder inside Glazed and Confused
© 2018 (c) Cameron Tirado

“At five o’clock in the morning, I flipped open the switch and I had a gut fear.”

365 days later, owner of Glazed and Confused, Paul Velenti, opened his shop for the very first time. When he switched on the lights of the building he had no what to expect of his future, but this morning, he woke up at 2 a.m. to keep up with the demand of hundreds of
foot-trafficking and over 5,000 donuts.

“So now a year later, I feel really humbled and honored. But it’s great. It’s a good feeling. It’s fun to come to work.”

And it’s fun for people to come where Valenti works. Today donuts were $1 and coffee was on the house. Lines were out the door and donuts were sold out fours hours ahead of expected.

One Syracuse official says that businesses like Glazed and Confused coming into Downtown is not an uncommon occurrence. In fact, actually more services have started to
uptick.

“So I think over the last several years we’ve really become a much more friendly place to
entrepreneurs, start-up businesses, brand new businesses that are looking to grow, and we’re really trying got focus on that here in the city.”)

Eric Ennis works with businesses like Glazed and Confused to get the proper licensing and permits they need to operate. He says the city also has a revolving loan fund which might
make it easier than banks for newer businesses to get loans.

“Having these businesses full, and having these retail storefronts, and having these lively areas like Hanover Square and Clinton Square it helps us recruit conferences, it helps us
recruit sporting events.”

Ennis says businesses like Glazed and Confused are boosting the city’s revenue and making the economy stronger. Cameron Tirado, NCC News

By Cameron Tirado SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — One Syracuse resident was riding with his family in their car on a six-hour trip home from Rohobeth Beach when they got the idea to start a local donut shop. Paul Valenti, his wife, and their two children Roman and Izabella did not know at the time that they were really on a journey that would change their lives.

One year ago today, the doors to Glazed and Confused opened for the very first time. Valenti recalls waking up that morning with the feeling of fear in his stomach.

“So now a year later, I feel really humbled and honored,” Valenti said. “But it’s great. It’s a good feeling. It’s fun to come to work. The most rewarding experience I’ve had since the day I opened is when I can take three dozen extra, bring my son who’s 11, bring them to the Rescue Mission and have him see who we’re helping.”

When he and his family ventured out on their new expedition, they had two goals: to create fresh products and give back 10% of their profits to local charities. Today the community showed its support for Glazed and Confused’s first birthday as hundreds of locals flooded the store to buy $1 donuts with a side of free coffee during the one-day anniversary deal.

Staff worked hard to crank out over 5,000 donuts that couldn’t seem to stay in the case for more than a few moments. Workers, also known as Donut Squad and Team Glazed, are just a small fraction of the approximate number of 29,000 people who work downtown any given day.

“The food service business is growing rapidly,” Economic Development Project Manager Eric Ennis with the Department of Neighborhood and Business Development for the City of Syracuse said. “So I think over the last several years we’ve really become a much more friendly place to entrepreneurs, start-up businesses, brand new businesses that are looking to grow, and we’re really trying to focus on that here in the city.”

Ennis says new businesses like restaurants, retail, and tech companies are helping to boost the Syracuse economy and generate revenue. This is a change from a few years ago when he says there were fewer options for people to explore downtown.

 

 

Related Articles