Business Journal: The Roundhouse, Willamette Wineworks, Pretty Sweet, Whips Desserts

It looks like a mixed-use project planned for Historic Folsom is picking up steam. The Sacramento Business Journal's Digital Editor Sonya Sorich says a wine business is joining the development.

"This week we learned that a business called Willamette Wineworks will open on the second floor of a new building called the Roundhouse in Historic Folsom," says Sorich. "This is an extension of Willamette Valley Vineyards which is based in Oregon."

The first floor of the Roundhouse, on Sutter Street, will be filled by Scott's Seafood, which is moving from its Greenback Lane location. There'll also be lofts, office space and more retail.

The Roundhouse project has been in the planning stages for more than a decade.

"It faced delays from the Great Recession, the end of redevelopment agencies and a city streetscape project," says Sorich. "But now progress on the first phase of the project appears to be moving forward. Construction on that first building got underway this past summer. And the wine business could have its grand opening in the fall."

If you have a sweet tooth and like to eat out, there are a couple of new dessert shops that have opened in Folsom: Pretty Sweet in Palladio at Broadstone and Whips Desserts in the Commonwealth Square shopping center. Sorich says they're among several new additions to the local dessert scene. One reason for the surge is social media. A lot of these new dessert shops are twists on traditional desserts, things that are perfect for Instagram photos.

"Also, dessert shops might be expanding because retail hubs are transforming into lifestyle centers," says Sorich. "Having a dessert option in a center makes sense as a way to get shoppers to stay there longer. For example, grab a cupcake after your movie."

Pretty Sweet sells custom cakes and other baked goods. At Whips Desserts, customers choose a slice of cake or pie, which is then whipped together with ice cream.