MADISON, Wis. – After years of serving up frozen delights from her pedal-powered cart, local ice cream maker Stella Buckley is planting permanent roots on Madison’s east side. Starting June 1, fans of Stellie’s Ice Cream — formerly known as Dairy Godmother — will be able to indulge in her scratch-made, all-natural treats at a new storefront located at 1815 East Washington Avenue.
The opening marks a major step forward for Buckley, whose handmade ice cream has previously only been available at events like the Dane County Farmers’ Market or through chasing down her roaming cart at local fairs and festivals.
With a permanent location comes an expanded and more consistent menu. Stellie’s will offer eight flavors at a time, five of which will be available year-round: honey vanilla bean, dark chocolate, strawberry with strawberry swirl, peanut butter with cookie dough pieces, and a salted caramel and butter pecan swirl. In addition, three seasonal flavors will rotate throughout the year. This summer, customers can look forward to cherry pie à la mode, peanut butter and strawberry jelly, and white mocha espresso. A rotating seasonal sorbet will also be featured.
Guests will be able to enjoy their ice cream in a dish, in a fresh-baked waffle cone, or as part of a milkshake or float.
The design of the shop, much like its flavors, is a modern twist on a classic. With bold pink, red, silver, and blue accents, the retro-inspired space is intended to serve as more than just a place for dessert. Buckley envisions it as a vibrant social hub — a welcoming spot for date nights, meetups with friends, or introducing out-of-towners to a slice of Madison culture.
A standout feature of the new location is its open concept. A glass wall separates the customer area from the kitchen, giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the ice cream-making process. Buckley also plans to offer educational classes on making, flavoring, and pairing ice cream for those who want a deeper dive into the craft.
Located next to Lone Girl Brewing Co. and across from Mint Mark, Stellie’s will be open daily from noon to 10 p.m., making it an ideal stop after dinner or an evening stroll.
For those nostalgic for the original cart experience, Stellie’s will maintain a presence at the Dane County Farmers’ Market every Saturday and will continue to participate in the monthly Madison Night Markets. Buckley is also working with a local distributor to make Stellie’s pints available at retailers across the city.
With its fresh take on an old favorite, the new Stellie’s storefront is poised to become a sweet staple in Madison’s growing food scene.
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