Life in St. Peter has felt a little less sweet since the closure of the Cheese and Pie Mongers last year. However, the town is about to get a new dose of sweetness this spring with the opening of Sota Scoops, a family-owned ice cream shop that will pick up where the beloved pie shop left off at 317 S. Minnesota Ave.
Sota Scoops, a new venture by first-time business owners Kai and Emma Sill, aims to offer a fun, family-friendly space where locals can indulge in one of life’s simplest joys: ice cream. The husband-and-wife duo, who are also parents to two daughters, Svea and Linnea, are excited to create a welcoming environment where kids and families can enjoy a treat together.
“Ultimately, we just wanted a place to spread happiness and joy,” said Kai. “We travel a lot, and ice cream shops are always a source of fun and joy. Nobody is ever sad in an ice cream shop.”
Although the Sills had long considered starting their own business, their busy careers as educators in the Mankato Area School District and their responsibilities as parents made the idea feel like a distant dream. With backgrounds in science, not business, they had no prior experience in running a store. However, after consulting with the Small Business Council and receiving encouragement from other local entrepreneurs, the couple decided to take the leap when the Cheese and Pie Mongers building became available in January.
“We’re taking a long shot, but we’re hopeful it’ll work,” said Kai. “If you don’t take a shot, you’ll never know. We only get one life, one opportunity to make an impact, so why not go for it?”
Sota Scoops will feature 24 flavors of Bridgeman’s ice cream, a Minnesota-based company with deep roots in the state. Founded in Duluth in 1936, Bridgeman’s was the perfect choice for the Sills due to its local connections and quality products. Kai and Emma even had the chance to meet Bridgeman’s owners and tour their facilities, where their daughters taste-tested over 30 flavors.
“The girls probably ate their weight in ice cream that day, and it was really good,” Kai said. “We like the idea of staying local and supporting a Minnesota-based company.”
Among the Sills’ favorite flavors is Superman, a vibrant mix of blue raspberry, red cherry, and yellow vanilla, which has quickly become a hit with their daughters. The family has also been engaging with future customers through social media, using Sota Scoops’ Facebook and Instagram pages to gather feedback on everything from the shop’s flavor offerings to the first flavor to be served upon opening.
“We want to keep it fun and simple. We’re starting small with ice cream, and we’ll grow from there,” Kai explained.
Sota Scoops will feature a bright, welcoming atmosphere with a clean, white aesthetic and pops of pastel colors. While the shop will have limited indoor seating, the Sills are considering adding outdoor seating for the warmer months. Though the shop will initially operate seasonally from March to October, the Sills are open to year-round operation if demand is high enough. The shop’s hours will focus on evenings and weekends to accommodate their teaching schedules.
In addition to providing a fun family destination, the Sills hope to use Sota Scoops as an opportunity for students at nearby St. Peter High School and Gustavus Adolphus College to gain real-world experience in small business management. Kai is eager to partner with local schools to offer students hands-on learning opportunities related to entrepreneurship.
“We still own the business, but we want to help inspire students who aspire to own their own businesses,” Kai said. “It will be a great experience for them to see what it takes to run a small business.”
With its combination of local flavor, community-focused vision, and family-friendly appeal, Sota Scoops is set to become a new favorite in St. Peter.
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