LAFAYETTE, Ind. — As winter approaches and the holiday season draws near, downtown Lafayette will soon have a sweet new addition: Every’s, a year-round ice cream shop set to open its doors in mid-December at 840 Main Street. The new business, founded by Anna and Tanner Watkins, is poised to fill a gap in the area’s dessert offerings, offering a family-friendly atmosphere and a commitment to supporting local Indiana businesses.
A Sweet Dream Realized
Anna Watkins, a graphic designer by trade, had always dreamed of creating her own brand. That dream became a reality after she met her husband, Tanner, in 2021. The couple’s shared passion for design and community involvement helped bring Every’s to life. Before moving into the downtown space, Anna worked in Carmel while Tanner served as a student pastor at Northview Church, a connection that eventually led the couple to turn their shared vision into a business.
The opportunity came when a for-rent sign appeared next door to Tanner’s parents’ business, Two Tulips, which has been a staple in downtown Lafayette for the past decade. When the space became vacant, Anna and Tanner saw potential for an ice cream shop—a concept they felt was missing from the downtown scene.
“There are lots of great restaurants in Lafayette, but we realized there weren’t many places to just get a simple ice cream cone,” Anna explained. “McCord’s is a great option, but they close early unless it’s the weekend.”
Supporting Local at Every Turn
After researching potential ice cream suppliers, the couple chose to partner with JB’s Barnyard, an Evansville-based company that operates its own dairy farm. Every’s will be the first store outside the Evansville area to feature JB’s Barnyard ice cream, which Anna describes as “the perfect fit” for their vision. The ice cream manufacturer offers 21 flavors that will be featured at the new shop, with hand-dipped cones and cups on the menu.
“We wanted to support a local business, and we really connected with JB’s Barnyard. Jared and Briley, the owners, are such kind people, and we enjoyed spending time with them when we visited their farm,” Tanner said.
In addition to ice cream, Every’s will serve espresso and coffee drinks, including affogato-style ice cream, using beans sourced from Indie Coffee Roasters in West Lafayette—a personal touch for the couple, as their first date took place at the coffee shop.
A Family Affair
Every’s is designed to be a family-oriented establishment, with Anna, Tanner, and his parents, David and Carla Watkins, all playing active roles in running the business. The family is committed to creating a welcoming space in the heart of downtown Lafayette, with plans to host soft-launch events to introduce the community to their new offerings.
“We’re excited to become part of the downtown Lafayette family and give back to the community that’s supported us,” Anna said. “It’s been wonderful to watch Tanner’s parents build a successful business here, and we’re looking forward to continuing that legacy.”
A Sweet Start
Although Every’s is not yet open to the public, the family has already started prepping the space, including constructing countertops and display cases. A soft-launch event is planned for Shop Small Saturday, a community celebration where visitors can also meet Santa Claus.
With a grand opening slated for mid-December, Every’s aims to become a must-visit destination for ice cream lovers and holiday shoppers alike.
“We’re passionate about serving our community and supporting local businesses,” said Tanner. “We’re thrilled to share our ice cream and our story with the people of Lafayette.”
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