The Belgian Waffle Shop opened this week at 1209 Market St. in downtown Wheeling, offering sweet treats to satisfy even the most discerning palates. Pictured is owner Tara Kobasko, center, with her daughters Miranda and Saleena, from left. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

Downtown Wheeling has a new destination that’s sure to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth in a fun, unique way for the Ohio Valley.

The Belgian Waffle Shop officially began welcoming the public into the new dessert boutique this week for a soft opening at 1209 Market St., and despite being somewhat landlocked at the moment because of the ongoing Downtown Streetscape Project construction, foot traffic to the new shop has been strong.

“Wheeling’s a great area,” owner Tara Kobasko said. “It’s exciting. There were customers waiting outside when we opened today.”

A Bellaire native, Kobasko operated TK’s Model Management before the COVID-19 pandemic motivated her to take a new creative direction. She and her business partner collaborated on a new idea to cater to foodies in the area in a unique way that customers may likely see in a bigger city but not so much in the valley – until now.

“I’ve always had a passion to cook and bake – food has always been a love in my life,” Kobasko said. “We started messing around with recipes and ideas, and we just brought it to life. It’s something we don’t really have around here.”

The Belgian Waffle Shop is a family owned and operated dessert shop where waffles serve as the canvas on which scrumptiously tempting creations are made using a wide variety of confections – from ice cream to candy toppings, whipped cream, powdered sugar, toffee crunch, pecans, chocolate flakes, sweet drizzles, berries or maraschino cherries, and other toppings and garnishments.

photo by: Eric Ayres

Miranda and Saleena Kobasko, from left, use teamwork to prepare a plate for the next tasty treat at the Belgian Waffle Shop in downtown Wheeling. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

Customers can choose from a variety of warm Belgian waffle dishes or try a bubble waffle, rolled into a cone and filled with your choice of ice cream, drizzles and other sweet toppings.

“The Belgian waffle is crispy on the outside and nice and fluffy on the inside, and it holds just the right amount of ice cream – but it doesn’t get soggy,” Kobasko said. “Until people try it — they don’t know what a great combination it is. Some people when they try it for the first time are like, ‘wow — I’ve been missing this my whole life!'”

Kobasko said they are a local business that supports other local businesses. They use Kirke’s Homemade Ice Cream, sell United Dairy milk and source maple syrup from Family Roots Farm.

“We make our own batter, and it’s infused with real imported Belgian pearl sugar,” Kobasko said. “I think it makes it. And you can’t go wrong with Kirke’s Homemade Ice Cream — so good.”

Warm Belgian waffles with a topping of Kirke’s Homemade Ice Cream and eye-popping confections are among the delectable temptations offered at The Belgian Waffle shop in downtown Wheeling. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

Bringing The Belgian Waffle Shop to life has been two years in the making. Some snags with previous contractors delayed progress, but following the soft opening, the shop is expected to expand hours and hold an official grand opening in the near future.

“Everything is completely remodeled inside and out,” Kobasko said, adding that Market Street currently is closed to traffic just south of the shop because of construction. Patrons can cut down the allies from Main or Chapline streets, or park at one of the parking garages or on other open side streets downtown and walk to the shop for now. “We still have had very steady business.”

They also offer French press coffee, waffle cookies and beverages — and even an ice dreamy French press — gourmet coffee with your favorite flavor of ice cream. There are loyalty cards available for return customers, as well. Orders are available for dine-in or carryout.

Presently, The Belgian Waffle Shop is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, but weekend and expanded hours are expected to be announced soon. For more information, visit the shop’s official Facebook page, stop by the shop or scan the QR code posted outside the shop to link to the menu.