What: A family-owned handcrafted ice cream cafe that also offers gelato and sorbet. Spotted Cow roasts coffee in the store daily and also offers bagels, sandwiches, baked goods and other desserts. Customers can even enjoy a glass of wine with their ice cream.
Michael O’Leary / The Herald
Where: Thomas Lake Shopping Center, 3414 132nd St. SE, Suite 307, near Mill Creek
Founded: 2004
Co-owners: Steve and Michelle Olesen of Everett
Career switch: Steve Olesen left Verizon in late 2003, thanks to a management buyout program, in order to pursue his dream of opening his own business. He studied the art of ice cream making at Penn State University and Oregon State University. The Olesens also worked with the U.S. Small Business Administration and Lynnwood’s CityBank to launch the Spotted Cow in June 2004.
Notable: Because the ice cream is made daily in small batches in the store, the flavors change daily. Some of the Spotted Cow’s signature flavors are Minty Manure, Madagascar Vanilla, Rose Zinfandel and Wedded Bliss. The dairy ingredients come directly from a Northwest family dairy, and the Olesens carry organic, shade-grown and fair-trade coffee. While customers are noshing, they also can use their laptops with the store’s free wireless Internet access or borrow a book or board game.
Plans for future: The Olesens are exploring the possibility of opening more stores in Mill Creek Town Center and elsewhere. They’re also developing a Web site so customers can find out online about daily ice cream flavors, what coffee’s being roasted and what live entertainment they’ve scheduled at the store.
Contact: 425-337-8494.
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