We are so happy to welcome Holiday from OddFellows Ice Cream Co. to share a bit about her business with us today!
"My husband Mohan and I own and operate a small-batch artisanal ice cream parlor in Williamsburg, Brooklyn called OddFellows Ice Cream Co. with our friend and pastry chef extraordinaire Sam Mason. The idea for our business venture came about when I was pregnant with my twins and longing for savory ice cream that I had a hard time finding at the supermarket. When Sam heard about my pregnancy craving, he whipped up some pretzel ice cream and brought me over a pint. Long story short, that was the night we conceived the idea of starting an ice cream business together. In June 2013, our flagship Williamsburg shop opened, and this May, we opened our second location, a small outpost in the East Village.
At OddFellows, we are known for flavors a bit more avant-garde and more "technical" (Sam uses liquid nitrogen as a kitchen tool) than other ice cream shops. Sam likes to blot the salty-vs.-sweet line between dinner and dessert (he made skirt steak ice cream as a contestant on The Iron Chef), so our product is more unconventional than other ice cream shops. Some people are weirded out by the flavors, but others love coming back to check out what new crazy flavors are in store. (We've offered more than 120 flavors in our first year in business!)"
"When you're running two stores (and raising two toddlers), you're always on your feet, and as is the nature of a growing business, the demands are constantly changing. We have a staff of around twenty, but Mohan, Sam and I are responsible for much of the day-to-day operation. After Mohan and I drop off the twins at school, it's time for our two other "babies." Mohan fluctuates between the Williamsburg and East Village shops. He takes care of whole sale and catering queries, does the payroll and scheduling, and makes ice cream runs as needed (transporting ice cream from our flagship store to the Manhattan one and making deliveries throughout the city). Sam works out of our Williamsburg shop, churning out ice cream daily. Since we don't have a proper office at either shops, I do most of my work from home, handling our press relations and overseeing social media marketing."
"Our Williamsburg shop is 1,200 sq ft and our kitchen comprises half of that space. We make all our ice cream on premise and are truly "homemade." We get our dairy delivered from a farm upstate, and pasteurize our ice cream base in-house (which not many ice cream shops can claim). Our waffle cones are made fresh daily and are a customer favorite. The cinnamon and butter-y smell of the batter permeates the shop as customers walk in – and the scent is heavenly. Also we built a large window behind our ice cream counter so customers can see into the kitchen and see their ice cream being made. People really love that."
"We wanted to create a whimsical and inviting space for both children and adults alike. You step in and are instantly transported to your "happy place." We went with a vintage carnival theme that included red-and-creme striped walls and a dose of circus monkey and clown decor. Our scoop shops combine design aspects of a traditional ice cream parlor sprinkled with a modern Brooklyn aesthetic. Our vibe is old school with a modern twist, just like much of our ice cream flavors are inventive rendition of the classics."
Thank you so much for sharing some behind-the-scenes peeks, Holiday! Be sure to pop in and say hello to the folks at OddFellows Ice Cream Co. if you're in the area, or you can follow along online via their website, Instagram, or Facebook. xo.
Credits // Author: Holiday Kumar. Photography: Liesl Henrichsen.
SUCH a cool shop! Yumm!
http://girlinthehoundstoothcoat.blogspot.ca
My friend took me to this ice cream shop when I visited Brooklyn, it was so wonderful! I tried the peanut butter and jelly ice cream and it did NOT disappoint! Can’t wait to go back on my next visit to the city.
OH my goodness, so fun!
xx Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes
You gals always have ON POINT photos.
They are beautiful!!!
bB***
Cute idea! I like it <3
Stacy from http://www.stacyco.blogspot.com
Looks extraordinary! I wish I knew about this place before I moved out of Brooklyn; I’m such a sucker for inventing savory and unique ice cream flavors at home!
<3 dani
http://blog.shopdisowned.com
Beautiful photos! However, I am now craving ice cream at 10AM oops haha!
Beauty and Lifestyle Blog
xx
If only I lived in USA I would totally go eat some ice cream!
hello from Australia
love it! will have to check out the next time i’m in Brooklyn 🙂
so sad to only hear about after getting back from America. Next trip I will visit for sure 🙂
http://sherbetgreen.blogspot.com.au
What a fun shop! I love peeks into companies like this one!
I totally forgot about the At Work With feature and love it!
I live a couple blocks away from the Williamsburg OddFellows and actually tried it for the first time last weekend. I ordered a smores ice cream and it was as if you could taste the campfire.
If I ever visit America this is where I am going!
Well, would you look at that! I’m staying in Williamsburg for just this week! It’s meant to be! Thanks!
Yum! Makes me want to go to Brooklyn to check it out!
xoxo
Taylor
this place looks whimsical, charming, and delicious. well done, oddfellows!
xx
yum! everything looks so cute!
xxoo,
nikki
www.dream-in-neon.com
Loveeeee the pictures on this post!!! 🙂 Ice cream pictures are amazing!!! and the place and the pleople… just love it!!!!!
Love this! What a beautiful place! So fun to find great places for ice cream! 🙂
http://sometimesgracefully.com