There’s not much that everybody can agree on anymore. Ice cream, however, is pretty much a good thing in almost everyone’s book. This Sunday is National Ice Cream Day, and, in what’s become an annual tradition, Loblolly Creamery will be blowing it out for folks in Central Arkansas. The SoMa neighborhood ice cream shop has dubbed Sunday “National Loblolly Day” and has plenty of reasons for you to drop in.
“We held our grand opening of the scoop shop two years ago on National Ice Cream Day,” said Christen Byrd, creative director at Loblolly. “Since then, we’ve used the day to celebrate our opening and throw a party for our fans.”
The celebration begins as soon as the doors open Sunday at 11 a.m. The first 100 people into Loblolly will get a free color-changing bowl that transforms when it comes into contact with something cold. Loblolly already sells color-changing spoons, and the bowls should make for a fun set to take home. If you don’t want to get there the second doors open, Loblolly is giving away another 100 bowls at 4 p.m.
Outside the scoop shop, Loblolly is setting up a special merchandise area with a few nice sales. Specifically, the shop is discounting all of its t-shirts for adults, kids and baby. Loblolly will be unveiling some new designs on the shirts Sunday as well. There will also be a professional face painter on hand from noon until 2 p.m. And of course, Loblolly is looking out for your four-legged friend, offering “pup scoops” for sale outside. These are small cups of faux ice cream with banana, pumpkin, peanut butter and honey that dogs go crazy for.
Inside will feature Loblolly’s full ice cream menu, including drinks, cookies and brownies. And in the back room, Byrd is building a special multi-sensory experience space filled with decorations and balloons. The idea is to make an “Instagrammable” spot perfect for selfies or group shots.
In its eight years in business, Loblolly has left a big mark on Little Rock’s food scene. Sunday should be a fun celebration of the good times and quality ice cream Loblolly has brought to all of us. Keep an eye on Loblolly’s social media channels leading up to Sunday; there will be a few giveaways before National Loblolly Day.