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Cold Stone Creamery & Wetzel’s Pretzels Celebrate Grand Openings at Clifton Park Center

Cold Stone Creamery and Wetzel’s Pretzels have officially opened at Clifton Park Center, bringing two nationally recognized brands together under one roof. Owned by Venu Chadalavada and his family, the new business offers Cold Stone Creamery’s signature premium ice cream creations mixed on a frozen granite stone alongside Wetzel’s Pretzels’ freshly baked pretzels, pretzel bites, and fresh-squeezed lemonade. The location currently employs 33 team members, many of whom are local high school and college students, reflecting the family’s commitment to investing in the local workforce.

The Capital Region Chamber joined elected officials, business leaders, family, friends, and community members to celebrate the grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

A longtime Capital Region resident, Venu Chadalavada said opening the business fulfills a vision of creating local jobs, supporting community organizations, and providing a welcoming place where families and friends can gather. He also recognized his wife, Divya Chadalavada, whose encouragement and dedication played a vital role in bringing the project to fruition.

During the ceremony, Senator James Tedisco congratulated the Chadalavada family on their investment in the Capital Region and recognized the important role small businesses play in strengthening New York’s economy. Clifton Park Town Supervisor Phil Barrett welcomed the new business, highlighting the continued growth of the Exit 9 corridor and thanking the owners for choosing Clifton Park as the home for their newest venture.

Remarks were also shared by representatives from Clifton Park Center, Deputy Town Supervisor Agatha Reid, and Ram Lalukota. The family received additional commendations from Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh, Abby Burke, and Michelle Lavoy of First New York Federal Credit Union.

The celebration brought together supporters from across the country, including guests who traveled from Dallas, Philadelphia, and Princeton, along with local family members, friends, and the store’s dedicated employees. Also in attendance were Bradley Burns and Chris DeMichele of M&T Bank, as well as Clifton Park Town Board members Nancy Bellamy, Mario Fantini, and Zabed Manir.

Venu brings more than two decades of leadership and business management experience to the venture. He holds an MBA from SUNY and has completed executive education programs at Harvard. Beyond serving premium desserts and freshly baked snacks, his goal is to create a destination where the community can gather, celebrate, and make lasting memories.

The Capital Region Chamber congratulates Venu, Divya, and the entire Chadalavada family on the grand opening of Cold Stone Creamery and Wetzel’s Pretzels and wishes them continued success.

All 2026 ribbon cuttings of the Capital Region Chamber and its affiliates are sponsored by Community Bank, N.A.