If you’re in downtown Cary you’re going to see construction and with that you’re likely to see moving trucks, as well.
New neighbors are popping up, and so today we stop by and say “Howdy” to downtown Cary’s newest ice cream shop, Howdy Homemade Ice Cream.
They are an ice cream shop with a bit of a twist. Very much inline with our friends at Esteamed Coffee, Howdy is also a non-profit.
Howdy Homemade Ice Cream has a mission that is much bigger than just serving up ice cream. It’s about making a difference in the lives of those with all different abilities in our community.
This is why we are committed to providing an excellent customer service experience, employing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and creating back-end processes that support the needs of our staff.
Howdy Homemade Ice Cream
We stopped by for a few scoops and to meet the owner, Phillip Lin.
Howdy is located at 370 S Walker Street (they are in the retail space at the bottom of the new Walker Apartments on the corner of Walker and Walnut), which puts them right next door to our friends at GiGi’s Playhouse. GiGi’s serves people with autism (of all ages) and their families. Howdy is the next neighbor in Downtown Cary dedicated to creating an inclusive community, like the teams at GiGi’s and Esteamed.
“A reason I came here was because Esteemed Coffee was here and GiGi’s was moving in next door, so we’re creating a hub for inclusivity,” said Phillip.
“I want to create something that is more than just an ice cream shop, it’s a partnership with people like GiGi’s next to us. We’re launching a program called GiGi Prep where their participants will learn from us and help us here at the shop,” added Phillip.
Howdy has created a unique back-end to their non-profit that helps the shop be more inclusive and provides accessibility to their potential employees and partners.
As for the ice cream, it’s great (as you’d expect), and another reason why it’s hard to beat Downtown Cary with places like Howdy, Fresh. Local Ice Cream, and Geluna Gelato (to name a few). Phillip told us he partial to the strawberry, but they have loads of great flavors and allergy friendly options available as well.
“We see our Ice Cream like the magnet that draws people in, and then they get us know us and know our staff and workers and all of that is the glue that holds us together and expands the community,” said Phillip.
Be sure to head over and say Howdy to them soon, grab a scoop (or two), and get to know the folks working there.
“Come and support us, we have a lot of employees who this is their first job. They are amazing and they bless me every day.”