A Canadian Serves Up Italian Ice Cream in Mexico!

Long time Playa del Carmen resident, Heather Yonelinas, finds her niche...

Heather Patricia Yonelinas (known locally as Patty) has been living in Playa del Carmen for the past 9 years, and has occupied the same business location for those 9 years.  Her present business is Ciao Gelato, an Italian Ice Cream parlor, which opened in July of 2002.  How strange to find a Canadian in Mexico making Italian ice cream.....

Heather is originally from the small town of Brantford outside of Toronto, and she grew up in Vancouver and was living in Niagara Falls Canada before making the move to Mexico.  She then traveled to Italy in 2002 to investigate and learn how to make gelato, which is made fresh daily with natural ingredients and lower in fat than American style ice cream.  It was important to make contacts with the manufacturers and suppliers of gelato equipment to ensure she was serving a quality and genuine product. Heather has trained her entire staff in the preparation of the special recipes and she operates an efficient turn-key business to ensure health, quality and customer satisfaction. 

Previously Heather owned and operated the restaurant, Lazy Lizard, which advertised the Canadian flag and was a very successful restaurant, famous for breakfasts and a varied menu including the "best hamburger in town".  After such success with the Lazy Lizard she opened the restaurant Jazzy Cat, which she then sold two years later and continued with just the Lazy Lizard. 

Heather has seen many changes in Playa del Carmen in the 9 years she has been living and working here.  She claims that although the cost of living has increased, it is easier for a foreigner to start a business here.  When she first started out she had to travel to Cancun to make bank deposits, request Z gas delivery, purchase quality reliable food products, and process immigration documents.  People had to travel to Cozumel to request a phone line which took 9 months to install.  Heather has created a home here in Playa del Carmen; making new friends and extended family and encircling herself with interesting people and fun activities, as well as becoming a long time business veteran in the community.

Ciao Gelato is open from 9:00 AM until 11:30 PM daily, and they are located on 5^th Street between 2^nd and 4^th Street. They can be reached by telephone at: 984-873-1201

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