The Parlor is sweet

KELLOGG — Sometimes, a sweet treat is all you need to perk you up after a long day and a new business in Kellogg is ready to hook you up.

The Parlor has a selection of pastries and ice cream that can be customized to fit your specific craving, whether that’s a decked-out cupcake or a sugar-free or gluten-free option; the owners commit to making the environment welcoming and the pastries delicious.

Owners Melissa Hanson and chef Erik Carpenter originally met as coworkers and became fast friends.

“You just know when you meet your people,” Hanson said.

Combining the vision and planning of Hanson, and Carpenter’s skills in the kitchen, the dream became a reality last September.

“Melissa had this idea,” Carpenter said. “She had this idea, and she found the space, and it went from there.”

Carpenter has a lot of experience in the kitchen, working his way up from washing dishes to a prominent position in a well-known bakery.

“I started baking with my grandmother when I would go to California in the summer,” Carpenter said. After graduating from Wallace High School, Carpenter traveled before hearing from his friend, who was going to culinary school. “Baking and cooking just always stuck with me, nothing I planned on, it just worked out that way.”

Carpenter got a job with his friend, started washing dishes, and worked his way up the food service ladder.

“I took it seriously. And I found out you could make a living at it. Especially if you’re good.”

He eventually worked for a popular bakery in Colorado, ButterHorn Bakery and Cafe, and tried other ventures before returning to the Silver Valley.

Carpenter not only bakes for the Parlor but is also a chef at The Brooks Hotel restaurant in Wallace, which most recently began serving delectable dinners. The owners of the Brooks have been vital in the name. The Parlor, is not only after ice cream parlors but also gets its inspiration from a tattoo parlor, as flash tattoo designs cover the walls and a collection of foliage and antiques.

The duo has received much support from friends and family and has quickly become a hang-out spot for local teens, as the owners have created a comfortable atmosphere.

The menu rotates weekly, but customizable orders are always welcomed with at least three days’ notice. Dietary restrictions are considered as sugar-free, and gluten-free options are often available or available to order. The ice cream is provided by Sunrise Dairy, which is operated by Melissa’s husband, David Hanson.

The shop can also be rented out for parties and craft nights, call or visit and see your options.

The Parlor is located at 110 N. Hill St. in Kellogg, and open Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. and closed on Wednesday. To see what items are available weekly, visit The Parlor Facebook page or call 208-570-2336.