Rhonda Rector-Rankin sells experience and ambience to the customers who patronize her Creamy Creations and More café in East Liberty.
It’s a warm and inviting place for people,” explained Rector-Rankin, a former educator who resides in Penn Hills. “It’s a minute to take them away from the hustle and bustle of life.”
Tucked just steps away from the Kelly Strayhorn Theater at 5943 Penn Avenue, Creamy Creations and More was opened in August of 2013. Rector-Rankin opened the shop two months after opening her inaugural location in Penn Hills.
In the summer of 2014, Rector-Rankin decided to use the Penn Hills location strictly for rentals, meetings and events so that she can build up the East Liberty spot.
“I wasn’t planning on opening a second location,” Rector-Rankin said. “I came to this location a year ago and I loved it. There was a coffee shop here and the owner wasn’t interested in having it anymore. I believe the woman was babysitting this location until I was ready for it.”
In addition to providing great-tasting coffee, Rector-Rankin also offers handmade chocolates, luncheon and snack foods. Rector-Rankin also creates gift baskets for purchase. Creamy Creations and More also hosts musical concerts, poetry readings and exercise classes within its walls.
In December, Rector-Rankin held a jam session for friend and schoolmate, violinist, Rodney McCoy.
“It was a way to encourage Rodney to get himself back out there performing. There is so much talent there,” said Rector-Rankin of McCoy performed at the grand opening of Creamy Creations and More’s East Liberty launch and who is currently recovering from a stroke he suffered several years ago. “I supported him and allowed him to showcase his talent. I hope the platform helped him build his confidence.
“We’re always trying to find ways to bring good, clean fun to the community,” Rector-Rankin continued. “As we move forward, there will be other musicians to host events.”
One of the challenges Rector-Rankin said she faces while running Creamy Creations and More is bringing more customers into the establishment, which seats 20 to 30 people and is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“East Liberty is a central location and there is on-the-street parking, but the Kelly Strayhorn Theater isn’t open during the day. People are going through East Liberty to get to their other destinations,” she said. “People are going to come to Creamy Creations and More because they know we’re there.”
Rector-Rankin hopes that her stellar customer service and attention to detail will continue to bring people to Creamy Creations and More.
“Everyone leaves with a smile on their face. We show them love non-judgmentally. We like getting to know the customer and how to make their coffee,” she said. “That personal touch is what sets us apart from other coffee shops.”
She plans on purchasing a new awning and working on better marketing techniques for the shop.
“I’m working on ways to make the place more visible,” Rector-Rankin said. “I didn’t go into this with a business mind set. Everything I’m learning is on-the-job-training. I don’t have the financial backing and I can’t advertise like other coffee shops, but as the business grows, I can grow with it. Creamy Creations .and More was created out of my passion for chocolate and coffee, not out of livelihood,”
(For more information on Creamy Creations and More visit www.creamycreationsandmore.com.)
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