Durham’s popular ice cream shop, Simons Says Dip This, is set to open a second location in downtown Raleigh’s Bloc[83] development at the intersection of Glenwood Avenue and Hillsborough Street. Founded in 2021 by Nathan and Audrey Simons, the new store aims to open before Christmas, as confirmed by Audrey Simons in a recent interview with The News & Observer. “Everybody loves ice cream,” she stated. “I appreciate that we appeal to all ages and backgrounds, without targeting a specific demographic.”
The new site boasts a vibrant courtyard and ample foot traffic, conveniently located near hotels, bars, and restaurants, including the nearby Morgan Street Food Hall. “It was kind of a no-brainer for us,” Audrey Simons remarked about the location choice.
Nathan Simons, a professional chef with a degree from the Culinary Institute of America, has extensive experience in fine dining, having worked at esteemed establishments such as Herons at The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary. The couple had envisioned starting their own business even before Nathan graduated. Initially, they toyed with the idea of offering dipped cones—treats from their childhood—envisioning a range of dip options beyond just chocolate. “It was just kind of a fleeting, fun idea,” Audrey reflected. However, as they prepared to launch their venture, they revisited the concept.
In 2019, Audrey began drafting a business plan, but their plans were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By February 2021, they successfully opened their first shop at 117 W. Parrish St. in downtown Durham. “We both worked in Durham for a while. We live in Durham. We really enjoy the food scene here and the community support for local businesses,” Audrey shared.
Simons Says Dip This distinguishes itself from traditional scoop shops by offering a single flavor: vanilla soft serve, available in both dairy and non-dairy versions. The specialized soft serve machine limits them to this choice, but the shop makes up for it with a plethora of dip flavors and toppings, resulting in over two million possible combinations, according to Audrey.
Customers can enjoy their ice cream in a cone or as a sandwich, coated in their choice of over two dozen dip flavors—half of which are dairy-free—along with various core fillings and toppings such as potato chips, fruit, sprinkles, and candy. To help guide overwhelmed customers, the shop features images of popular combinations on the walls, including the MVP, which features a fudge core, cookies ‘n’ cream dip, and an Oreo topping.
In addition to ice cream, the shop offers soda floats, freeze-dried candy, and, during the winter months, a unique dipped hot chocolate that allows customers to turn their preferred dip into a drinkable treat.
While the menu will remain consistent between the Raleigh and Durham locations, the decor will differ. The Durham store showcases nostalgic 1980s pop culture, featuring posters of movies, music, and TV shows that inspired the owners during their youth. In contrast, the slightly smaller Raleigh location will adopt a more modern aesthetic, reflecting the owners’ tastes from their late teenage years in the 1990s and early 2000s, complete with a playful squirrel spring rider to celebrate the City of Oaks.
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