Evan Patto always envisioned owning a coffee shop. For his family, coffee has always been more than a drink—it’s a reason to gather and connect over warm cups of java. But when he noticed a void in the area and came across a retail space already equipped with frozen yogurt equipment, he jumped at the chance to combine hot and cold.
“We had a coffee shop in mind a long time ago, but when this opportunity showed up, we said, ‘Let’s take it, add some coffee to it, some extra items,’” Patto said. “Thank God we did. I love it.”
Patto quietly opened Blueline Sweets in August 2024 in the former Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt location, transforming it into the cozy, inviting atmosphere he had always imagined for his first business. He runs the shop alongside Avil William, who doesn’t take on an official title but says he’s there to support Patto however he can.
“We’re trying to make sure everyone’s comfortable when they come here,” William said. “That’s the most important thing. We’re grateful for everyone that comes in, because they come back by choice.”
Patto prides himself on developing a flexible, customer-driven menu. Every new item is tested in-house before making its debut, including the recently released customizable waffle crepe. One of the most popular versions, the “Everything Dubai,” features chocolate, pistachio, and kataifi—a nod to the trending Dubai chocolate flavor profile.
“Before we serve it, we try it,” Patto said. “Our family, our kids eat here in the shop. So we always try to make everything 100% from the heart.”
Though the shop offers a wide variety of warm and cold treats, Blueline Sweets takes the most pride in its frozen yogurt. Patto and William selected a high-quality brand made with fruit sugar for its health benefits, while also being kosher, halal, and gluten-free—without compromising on flavor.
Whether frozen yogurt is your go-to or you prefer something else, Patto is confident you’ll find something you love.
“If you’re a first-time visitor, Evan will give you so many samples,” William said with a smile. “We’ll practically force you to try them. We always try to be as hospitable as we possibly can. We want to make sure you leave here happy.”
One challenge they’ve faced is shifting public perception from “ice cream shop” to “coffeehouse vibe,” William said, noting that frozen yogurt often attracts grab-and-go customers. To encourage longer visits, they experiment with new offerings and ambiance.
“When we have a crowd sitting in here, we’ll let them try new items we’re working on so they can stay a little longer and enjoy the experience,” William said. “Sometimes we even bring in musicians playing Turkish, Arabic, old Chaldean music, and English.”
As summer peaks, Patto believes that perception will evolve with the seasons.
“Our frozen yogurt is the best, but we’re also starting a classic Turkish coffee cart soon,” Patto said. “We sell a lot more cake slices, dessert pancakes, and hot chocolate in the winter.”
Whether you’re cooling down or warming up, Blueline Sweets has what you’re craving—and if they don’t, they’ll make sure they do next time.
“We go after what people want, not what we want,” William said. “If you say you want a certain flavor, we’ll have it for you in a couple of weeks.”
The team is already planning for the shop’s one-year anniversary, with a block party-style celebration featuring games and music in front of the store. In conjunction with the celebration, customers will receive 10% off their order for the entire month of July, with proof of Sterling Heights residency.
“We’re not materialistic,” William added. “We like to invest and build. We do our best to please everyone—and if people are happy, that’s all that matters.”
Blueline Sweets is located at 13379 15 Mile Road, near Schoenherr Road, and is open 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
