Area Development
Sweet Street Desserts, Inc., a leader in the gourmet dessert industry, will establish a new manufacturing facility in Greenville, South Carolina. The investment is expected to generate at least 80 new jobs over the next several years.

Based in Reading, Pennsylvania, the firm is purchasing the 120,000-square-foot former Sara Lee building at 1916 Piedmont Highway in Greenville County and will be upfitting the facility with new machinery and equipment. The company expects to begin manufacturing operations by next summer.

“While we are firmly rooted in Reading and it will always be home, Sweet Street is excited to begin this new chapter in our history here in South Carolina,” said Doug Messinger, Vice President and General Manager for Sweet Street Desserts. “We look forward to creating a dynamic and gratifying environment that customers, suppliers and co-workers will enjoy, and ensuring a story of sweet success for them, our company and our community in the years to come.”

“We are pleased to move forward with plans to locate our new facility in South Carolina, allowing us to expand production capacity and more easily and efficiently reach our growing customer base in markets across North and South America,” said Sandy Solmon, Founder and CEO of Sweet Street Desserts. “The state of South Carolina and local community offered us a wonderful business environment and bent over backwards to assist us. Greenville County provided us with an excellent facility that is ideally suited to our needs and we are excited to begin this new chapter in our organization’s history.”

“As the leader in the gourmet dessert industry, we set the standard for the industry and we envision that this new facility will play an important role in our pursuit of that mission,” said Solmon. “Our goal is to maintain our leadership, while growing internationally. We believe that our new base in Greenville will support this continued expansion, now at 60 countries and counting. We are extremely pleased to establish our new operations here in Greenville County, and very appreciative for the support and leadership of the Greenville Area Development Corporation, readySC, South Carolina Department of Commerce and others who assisted in making this announcement a reality.”

“South Carolina continues to find success recruiting businesses, investment and new jobs,” said Gov. Nikki Haley. “We are thrilled that Sweet Street Desserts chose our state to invest in, creating 80 new jobs in Greenville County.” The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved a $150,000 set aside grant for the project. Sweet Street will begin working with readySC in the recruiting and training of associates beginning in early spring.

“Greenville has an international reputation as a center of advanced manufacturing and as a gourmet food and dining center, and Sweet Street Desserts fits well with this area’s other world-class brands,” said Dr. Bob Taylor, board member of the Greenville Area Development Corporation and chairman of Greenville County Council. “Attracting a company that is focused on innovation, internationally admired, and well-known for community involvement to Greenville County is truly the icing on the cake.”