How Sweetspot & Happy Belly Began
We’re Charmaine and Chris, and our journey with Sweetspot started in 2008 with a simple idea—to bring joy through sweet treats. Back then, Sweetspot was just a small frozen yogurt shop in Redding. But our love for baking led us to add scratch-made cupcakes and gelato. Before we knew it, we had outgrown our tiny space and began exploring new ways to share our love of food.
Inspired by Our Roots
Our love for food is deeply personal. Charmaine was born in Hong Kong, and Cantonese flavors have always been a part of her life. Chris has Japanese roots, and together, we’ve been inspired by the flavors of Hong Kong and Tokyo—two cities that feel like home to us. These influences shape what we do today, blending bold Asian flavors with our own creative twists.
A Passion for Food and Flavor
Over the years, our menu kept evolving. We’ve been a coffee shop, made pizza, and even served ramen. No matter what we created, one thing stayed the same—our passion for good food. In 2017, we started a ramen pop-up, serving bowls of rich, comforting flavors one night a week. What started as a fun experiment quickly turned into something bigger.
Family and Community at the Heart
For Charmaine, food has always meant family. Her father, George, ran Sailing Boat Chinese Restaurant in Redding for over 26 years. He showed us how food can bring people together, and we carry that same spirit into everything we make. Every dish we serve is made with heart, just like the meals we grew up eating. Come visit us, we can't wait to share our food with you.