Sweetport, a beloved neighborhood ice cream shop in Shreveport, Louisiana, will close its doors permanently on December 31, 2024. Owner Nicole Spikes, however, has promised that the business will return in some form—just not in its current iteration.
Since opening in 2020, Sweetport, located at 3301 Line Avenue across from Byrd High School, became a local favorite known for its inventive flavors and unique approach to ice cream. Spikes infused her creations with local history and creativity, offering treats like the “Bistineau Campfire Nights,” which combined toasted marshmallows and graham cracker crumbles, and “Elvis Has Left the Building,” a peanut butter and banana flavor inspired by the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Seasonal offerings included persimmon ice cream and a sweet potato pie-flavored scoop, capturing the essence of local traditions.
However, the timing of Sweetport’s opening proved challenging. Shortly after launching, the COVID-19 pandemic forced widespread closures, throwing a wrench into Spikes’ plans. “We had already invested so much, so we decided to open despite everything shutting down,” Spikes recalled. Despite the obstacles, the shop received positive feedback, though Spikes noted that customer traffic seemed to change as the pandemic evolved.
In the years since, Sweetport faced several business hurdles. Industry trends, such as a shift toward drive-thru service, left the shop at a disadvantage since it lacked such a service. Additionally, staffing challenges, parking congestion from the nearby high school, and a notoriously unreliable freezer contributed to the decision to close.
Spikes also discovered that the shop’s limited space and kitchen size prevented her from fully expanding her offerings. While Sweetport specialized in premium ice cream, Spikes began incorporating international baked goods into the menu, including British scones, New York-style black and white cookies, Australian Pavlovas, and New Orleans Doberge cakes. However, the lack of a larger kitchen hampered her ability to fully realize these offerings, which are central to her vision for the future.
Looking ahead, Spikes and her husband Jeff plan to take a few months to reevaluate their business strategy. “We’re going to focus on what’s next, take a step back, and come back with something even stronger,” Spikes said. While Sweetport will no longer be operating at its current location, Spikes hinted at the possibility of ice cream pop-ups and partnerships with other local businesses during the interim. She also plans to continue offering her baked goods, with a potential new location for her popular English tea service.
In a nod to Sweetport’s past, Spikes mentioned that the shop’s vintage ice cream truck, affectionately named “Sweetie,” may make a return as a trailer.
“It’s been an emotional decision,” Spikes shared. “But we’re taking notes, pivoting, and focusing on how we can come back better. Sweetport as you know it will close, but it’s not the end—it’s just the beginning of something new.”
For now, Sweetport fans can savor the final days at the shop before it closes its doors for good on December 31. Spikes remains optimistic about the future, determined to bring her culinary creativity to the community once again.
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