Simply Unique Gelato: Closed for Business

Even if you've visited downtown Chandler a few times, you're probably not familiar with Simply Unique Gelato & Italian Ice. Since opening in November 2008, the husband-and-wife shop struggled in its low-visibility location behind SanTan Brewing Company. That's "struggled," as in past tense, because Philadelphia transplants Richard and Diane Martin...

By Jess Harter

April 5, 2010

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Even if you've visited downtown Chandler a few times, you're probably not familiar with Simply Unique Gelato & Italian Ice. Since opening in November 2008, the husband-and-wife shop struggled in its low-visibility location behind SanTan Brewing Company.

That's "struggled," as in past tense, because Philadelphia transplants Richard and Diane Martin -- who served 18 flavors of gelato and sorbetto, along with Italian ice and housemade rum cakes -- have closed their doors.

Simply Unique was one of several businesses that shared an historic building, formerly a Valley National bank, with SanTan Brewing. The microbrewery recently bought the building and is planning to expand into two spaces formerly occupied by a day spa and a Russian jewelry store.

Brewery owner Anthony Canecchia says he hopes to lease Simply Unique's 1,200-square-foot space to a retailer.

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