National Ice Cream Month

by Angie Kay Dilmore

ICE CREAM IS EASY TO FIND IN SWLA.
Beyond the usual corporate chains, this cold, creamy confection can be sourced in some unexpected places. Several coffee shops, like Stellar Beans Coffee House & Edibles and The Buzz Coffee & More, offer hand-dipped ice cream. Giggles Ice Cream and Gourmet Coffee, in the style of an old-timey soda shop, is connected to a Subway sandwich franchise. Jason’s Deli offers free chocolate and vanilla soft serve, but the star there is that decadent Ghirardelli chocolate sauce. You’ll find 20 flavors of Blue Bell at Maplewood Burgers. Order ice cream as a side for your warm Insomnia Cookies. Enjoy an ice cream cone after a round of miniature gold at Putt-Putt Fun Center. And, of course, many of the ubiquitous summer sno-cone stands, such as Lulu’s Specialty Cones and More and PT’s Snowballs offer ice cream options. Several newer privately-owned businesses are bringing innovative twists to the ice cream scene!

A SPRINKLE IN TIME TOO, SULPHUR
Last month, owner Aimee Lacy cut the ribbon on this new establishment. Take a nostalgic journey back to 1990s pop culture with video games, toys, books, posters and other millennial/Gen Z mementos. Lacy’s daughter, Sarah Begbie, opened the original Sprinkle in Time in Belle Chase, Louisiana in 2024. Once she landed on the ’90’s theme, she scoured the internet and sought out auctions and estate sales for the decor. Begbie now has the largest collection of 1990s toys in the state. Lacy’s son Seth also collects ‘90s memorabilia, found in the Sulphur shop. Arcade games are free for the public to play. “I wanted to create a space where large families and groups could come and have fun together,” Lacy says.
But about the ice cream? Lacy set her prices so that the average family of four can enjoy scoops for under $20. It’s homemade onsite from fresh dairy and is all natural. Twenty-four flavors are offered daily, including sorbets and dairy-free choices on rotation, depending on the season.

CODA BEST BITES, LAKE CHARLES
You know when you’re eating an ice cream cone and that one last bite is always the best part? Jordan Waldmeier sells that best part in a pack of nine. “It’s a whole new way to enjoy ice cream,” he says. “No mess, no spoons, portable and convenient, and made by hand.”
Last year, Waldmeier was tending the bar at a local casino and looking for a second job. In October, he decided to make a childhood dream come true. He made his first batch of Best Bites and promptly amassed quite a following. His best-selling flavor is cookies and cream. Other fan favorites include churro and red velvet, with a new flavor every month.
Waldmeier says the business name comes from a musical term. “A ‘coda’ is the cue to ramp up for the grand finale. Coda Best Bites are the grand finale to the ice cream cone.” Currently a pop-up shop, Waldmeier sells his frozen treats at farmers’ markets, festivals and other events. His goal for the product is to have them become commercially available. “Everyone loves ice cream. I get to witness that joy when people taste that one bite of nostalgia.”

CURLED CREME, DERIDDER
Kent and Marcia Ratzloff opened Curled Crème in 2023 after dreaming about owning a little ice cream shop for over two years. Since then, they’ve been on a roll, literally. “We first were introduced to rolled ice cream when we accidentally happened upon a rolled ice cream shop,” says Marcia. “Intrigued with the concept and loving the rolled ice cream, we started seeking out rolled ice cream shops when out of town or on vacations.”
Curled Crème offers several “pre-made” favorites, but most of their customers create their own concoctions. Start with a base – vanilla, chocolate or mocha. Then decide between 32 mix-in options and several drizzle and topping choices. Their most popular mix-ins are Oreo, strawberries, cheesecake and Reese’s. Their Dubai Chocolate ice cream is also a hit, as well as seasonal favorite, fresh Georgia Peach ice cream.
The Ratzloffs focus on high quality, natural, non-GMO and gluten-free ingredients. They also offer vegan/non-dairy and low sugar options. Marcia says Kent grew up lactose intolerant. When the rest of the family ate ice cream, he had to settle for Cool Whip. “Being able to serve dairy-free and low sugar options is a bonus. We love being able to serve the city of DeRidder and surrounding areas.”