The Venture Center Welcomes VCWoman Achieve Alumni Business, The Croissanterie, to Little Rock Tech Park
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (August 13, 2024) – The Venture Center is thrilled to announce that The Croissanterie, led by VCWoman Achieve alumni Wendy Schay and Jill McDonald, has opened a new location at the Little Rock Tech Park. This expansion marks the second significant growth for The Croissanterie in just three years, having previously expanded from a food truck to their first brick-and-mortar site on Cantrell Road, and now into downtown Little Rock.
Schay and McDonald founded The Croissanterie in 2019 and began operations by selling homemade croissants at local farmers’ markets. Recognizing the substantial demand, they expanded to include a variety of pastries, croissant sandwiches, and coffee drinks, and started serving from a food truck during the 2020 quarantine. As global conditions improved and public life resumed, The Croissanterie quickly outgrew its mobile facility, leading to the establishment of its first permanent location in late 2021.
“A lot of people have asked us to open a location closer to downtown,” said Schay. “We’re so excited for this opportunity!”
The Croissanterie has been recognized for its excellence, receiving the 2024 Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year award from the Little Rock Regional Chamber and the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center. They were also honored as the 2023 Small Business of the Year.
The Venture Center has been instrumental in supporting the growth of The Croissanterie through the VCWoman Achieve program. By integrating Schay and McDonald’s business into the Tech Park, it not only enriches the surrounding environment but also exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit that The Venture Center seeks to foster.
“We’ve been supporters of Jill and Wendy since their time at UA Pulaski Tech and were thrilled when they joined the VC Woman Achieve and other Venture Center programs,” said Mimi San Pedro, Chief Strategy Officer at The Venture Center. “These educational and mentoring initiatives have provided them with the essential resources and connections they needed to sustain their vision. Hosting them at the Little Rock Technology Park allows us to continue supporting their growth and demonstrates the potential of our programs.”
The Croissanterie’s Tech Park location will provide fresh baked goods, croissant sandwiches, and a full coffee service Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Further expansion plans for The Croissanterie include the establishment of a larger production kitchen projected for late 2024/2025.
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About The Venture Center
The Venture Center is a globally recognized Arkansas-based Entrepreneurial Support Organization (ESO) that helps entrepreneurs turn their start-ups into viable, high-growth businesses. By leveraging the expertise of a world-class team of mentors, intensive programming, and introductions to the investor community, The Venture Center serves as an engine for economic growth in Arkansas and beyond. Learn more at www.venturecenter.co. Follow The Venture Center on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and X.