Yummy Dips, a gourmet ice cream, crepe and waffle bar is preparing for a grand opening in Pelham Parkway. The business is replacing a former illegal cannabis shop on Lydig avenue that was shut down by the city last summer.

About 1,400 illegal cannabis shops have been closed across the city since May 2024. It was part of "Operation Padlock to Protect," an initiative by the Adams administration to crackdown on illegal smoke shops.

Now the focus has shifted to reopen the vacant stores and turn them into legal dispensaries or transform into an entirely new business.

"We want to be sure that landlords can turn over these spots into lawful businesses and produce income for themselves and services for the neighborhood," said Dynishal Gross, commissioner of Small Business Services for NYC.

Yummy Dips is starting a new venture to bring positivity to the neighborhood. The business will be operated by local business owners who grew up in Pelham Parkway. Their grand opening date will be announced in the coming weeks.

In total, more than $95 million in illegal products were confiscated but thousands of stores were left vacant and sealed.

Mayor Eric Adams says his team will continue to work with the NYPD to monitor stores that may reopen and continue illegal practices. He says they will be shut down and prevented from reopening for 365 days.