Ice cream shop to open in fall, 2 businesses hit pause and Izzy’s spot might get filled
Meegan Cronk estimates she has been making ice cream for family and friends for 15 years, but after seeing plans for a new building under construction off Henderson Boulevard, she decided she wanted to be part of the new destination within walking distance of the neighborhood.
The new building at 4528 Maple Lane SE will be anchored by Olympia Pediatric Dentistry, but there’s also room for several other tenants, including Cronk’s new business: Humble Cow Ice Cream, which is aiming for an October opening.
“It will be a classic neighborhood ice cream shop done well,” she said about the 1,300-square-foot location, which will be big enough to make all of her own ice cream on site, as well as allow people to sit down and enjoy the 16 flavors of ice cream she plans to serve.
She plans to use local and seasonal ingredients: She recently made a sorbet using berries from Spooners.
Customers can expect ice creams and sorbets with non-dairy products, Cronk said, as well as milkshakes, floats, cookies, brownies, pints of ice cream to go and ice cream cakes. She expects to operate 2-9 p.m. daily, she said.
Cronk previously was a school counselor, but now will be a full-time business owner who wants to give back to the community, either by making her space available to community groups or by hosting student art performances, she said.
The business will be hiring, but not just yet, she said. Those interested in a job or general information about the ice cream shop should follow Humble Cow on Instagram.
Other business happenings
It appears that Famous Dave’s BBQ is coming to Olympia by filling the former Izzy’s location on Pacific Avenue at Lilly Road, according to a Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board liquor license application.
Famous Dave’s already has Western Washington locations in Tacoma, the Seattle area and Everett, according to its website.
Two businesses in Thurston County have decided to temporarily pause operations.
Van’s Burger, a well-known drive-in on Yelm Highway, announced on its reader board and on Facebook that it had to temporarily close due to a lack of supplies. The business could not be reached by phone this week.
New Traditions, which operates a cafe and fair-trade shop downtown, announced Wednesday it is pausing operations because of a recent rise in COVID-19 cases.
“Our hospitals in Thurston County are struggling to accommodate patients suffering from the Delta variant of COVID-19,” the business wrote in a message to customers. “In order to protect our beloved community, we have decided to close for the next two weeks. We will open again once the Delta variant is less of a threat to our shared well being. In other words, we will open when we feel safe serving you all! We will keep you all updated on social media, door posters and newsletters.”
This isn’t the first business to pause operations. Budd Bay Cafe in downtown Olympia recently suspended breakfast service because of a lack of workers.
If you know of a retailer, restaurant, coffee shop or other business that is opening, closing, expanding, remodeling, or changing its focus, send an email to reporter Rolf Boone at rboone@theolympian.com.
This story was originally published August 20, 2021 at 5:45 AM.
