A new ice cream shop, Wildflower Ice Cream, is set to open this winter in Crescent Heights, St. Pete. The locally owned establishment will occupy the former House of Pipes and Cigars location at 2603 Dr. MLK Jr. Street North. In the coming months, The Violet Stone, a local pizzeria that gained viral attention earlier this year, will move to a neighboring storefront.
Founded by St. Pete residents Steve and Sarah McGarry, Wildflower Ice Cream aims to become a neighborhood favorite by offering made-to-order soft-serve creations. The shop will feature a Swirl Freeze Blending Machine, which allows customers to mix their choice of candies, fruits, nuts, or cookies with a traditional chocolate or vanilla base to create a variety of custom flavors.
The menu will include over 20 mix-ins and toppings, ranging from cookie dough and chocolate chips to bananas, blueberries, and pineapple. Both non-dairy and traditional ice cream options will be available, catering to a wide range of dietary needs.
Steve McGarry shared the inspiration behind the venture, noting the challenges of finding delicious, accommodating ice cream options. “Our son Charlie used to have a dairy sensitivity,” he explained to St. Pete Rising.
The McGarrys, who have always enjoyed local ice cream shops and parks, saw an opportunity to fill a gap left by the closure of Dairy Inn—a beloved neighborhood ice cream spot that had served Crescent Lake for 76 years. The shop’s recent demolition to make way for a new luxury townhome development left a void in the local ice cream market.
The new Wildflower Ice Cream shop will be 700 square feet and is expected to open its doors in early 2025. The McGarrys plan to collaborate with local businesses, such as coffee roasters and bakeries, to source toppings and enhance their offerings.
“We are so glad we discovered St. Pete. We feel like St. Pete just gave us a big hug when we got here as a young family,” Sarah McGarry said. “Now, we want to become part of the small business community and be a destination for families.”
For updates on the grand opening and ice cream specials, follow Wildflower Ice Cream on Facebook and Instagram.
