Sweet Tooth is located at 1230 S. Grand Blvd. in Spokane, Washington. Officially, the shop’s hours are Tuesday through Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it is closed Sunday and Monday. However, early risers looking for their caffeine fix can stop by earlier.

“Sweet Tooth opens officially at 7 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday, but if you see the light on earlier than that, feel free to come in and get some coffee,” Igor said.”

The opening of Sweet Tooth comes as SNAP Financial Access, a subsidiary of SNAP, celebrates 20 years of empowering small businesses in Spokane. As with their first venture, the couple turned to SNAP for financing and guidance to launch their bakery.

A FOUNDATION BUILT ON COFFEE AND COMMUNITY

Igor and Iryna first arrived in Spokane in 2015 after fleeing Ukraine, bringing with them a deep love of coffee and community. Igor, who previously owned several cafés back home, and Iryna quickly became regulars at Coeur Coffeehouse on Monroe Street. When Coeur closed in 2017, the couple wanted to carry forward what the café had meant to them, but starting a business in a new country with limited financial resources seemed daunting.

That’s where SNAP Financial Access came in. With support from SNAP’s small business lending and coaching programs, the couple were able to secure the resources they needed to open Cedar Coffee in November 2017, in the very same building where Coeur had once stood.

“SNAP is the best of the best,” Igor said. “This organization helped me to open this business. They gave me a good loan. If someone wants help, go to SNAP”.

Cedar Coffee quickly gained a loyal following due to Igor’s expertise in roasting beans in-house, crafting careful drinks, steeping premium teas, and handcrafting artisan syrups.

FROM CEDAR’S SUCCESS TO SWEET TOOTH

Seven years later, Igor and Iryna are expanding their vision with Sweet Tooth. Igor explained that the decision to move into baking was a simple one.

“I decided to open a donut shop because before I made coffee and coffee with donuts together is more interesting. It’s more tasty. It’s more popular, and I like it,” Igor said. “It’s an American tradition. I want to do this traditional American coffee and donuts”.

He added that he felt the drive to expand because, “I’m a man who can do everything, and more important, I love doing this one. It’s not just like money; it’s just my heart”.

Sweet Tooth Details:
• Location: 1230 S. Grand Blvd., Spokane, WA
• Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 7 a.m.– 4 p.m. | Closed Sunday–Monday

Igor detailed how he makes the product distinct:

“First of all, we use 24-hour brioche and cake dough,” he explained. “More importantly we use interesting glaze,” such as glaze from natural fruits, with “no preservatives. No chemicals or artificial colors. It’s important”.

While Igor is the face of the operation, his family is deeply involved. His seventeen-year-old son, Emil, helps him make the donuts each morning before attending Mt. Spokane High School. Igor also jokes about the management structure he shares with his wife, stating she has “51% control over their operations compared to his 49%”.

In addition to artisan donuts, Sweet Tooth is also a destination for “professionally prepared high-quality coffee”.

From Cedar Coffee’s cozy café on Monroe Street to Sweet Tooth’s bright new space, Igor and Iryna’s businesses stand as symbols of resilience, creativity, and community. Igor remains a staunch advocate for the organization that helped make it possible.

“SNAP is a really good organization, and I like it. I recommend everyone work with SNAP,” Igor remarked.  “And I want to say a great thank you for SNAP, and everyone who works at SNAP. Thank you again”.