Sweet news is swirling in Raleigh’s North Hills, as California-based dessert chain Tifa Chocolate & Gelato is bringing its decadent delights to the Captrust Tower. This marks Tifa’s second North Carolina location, following its Charlotte debut in 2021. Known for its artisan gelato in inventive flavors like strawberry balsamic and pistachio lemon curd, Tifa will also offer pastries, truffles, hot chocolate, and a full menu of coffee and tea. The 1,736-square-foot shop—taking over the former Century 21 real estate space—joins other sugary staples like Ben & Jerry’s and Captain Cookie & The Milk Man in the bustling shopping district. And with a sunny outdoor patio plus expansion plans underway across the U.S., Tifa is clearly looking to scoop up more fans—one chilled spoonful at a time.

Key Highlights:

• Tifa Chocolate & Gelato, founded in California in 2007, is launching its second North Carolina location in Raleigh’s Captrust Tower at 4208 Six Forks Road.
• The dessert shop fills the former Century 21 Real Estate space, located next to Yard House and near The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar.
• This North Hills spot will feature indoor seating as well as an outdoor patio—perfect for enjoying a sweet treat in the sun.
• Tifa’s menu includes 15+ rotating gelato flavors like stracciatella, salted caramel, and pistachio lemon curd.
• Other offerings include hand-crafted chocolate truffles, bonbons, pastries, and coffee and tea drinks. Bonus: yes, they serve drinking chocolate, too.
• Sean Dill is the local franchisee behind the new Tifa location, working with Christina Coffey of Lee & Associates on the lease.
• Tifa joins a growing roster of dessert-focused businesses in North Hills, including Kilwins, Ben & Jerry’s, Edible Art Bakery, and Captain Cookie.
• Franchise opportunities are available, with a $47,500 initial fee and a total investment range of $318,200–$509,400.
• Tifa operates in CA, AZ, TX, and NC, with plans to grow in CO, FL, and NY.

Quote to scoop up:
“Tifa serves more than a dozen gelato flavors, including strawberry balsamic, pistachio lemon curd, stracciatella and salted caramel.”

Bonus Tidbit:
Tifa isn’t alone in its move from Charlotte to North Hills—Sixty Vines, a wine vibes-meets-dining spot, is also headed to the neighborhood, along with newcomers like Evereve and Barking Dog NYC.

Sweet tooth alert: Sounds like Raleigh’s dessert game is about to reach a whole new level.
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