Pop Pie Co. Opening Adjacent Ice Cream Parlor

What pairs better with pie than ice cream? The owners of Pop Pie Co. in University Heights are betting on the classic combo by launching a new ice cream shop next to their popular Park Boulevard eatery. Stella Jean’s Ice Cream, scheduled to open this August, will go into an 850-square-foot space that was formerly a pet store; appropriately, it’s named after a friend’s dearly departed rescued pit bull that Pop Pie co-founders Steven Torres and Gan Suebsarakham had a special connection with.

Ice cream has long been a passion for Suebsarakham, who creates the pie shop’s sweet and savory offerings. For Stella Jean’s, he joined by chef Loren Brent who’s on board in a consulting capacity. Together, they have developed a super premium, 16 percent butterfat ice cream, which will be available in a rotating list of flavors including Mango Sticky Rice, Sweet Corn with Salted Caramel, Honey Rosemary Orange Zest, Toasted Marshmallow, and Goat Cheese Blackberry & Black Pepper. There will also be vegan flavor options, including Matcha Pistachio and Pineapple with Sweet Spanish Paprika Sorbet. Stella Jean’s will also cook up its own fresh waffle cones, from a gluten-free and vegan batter made with brown sugar, maple syrup, flax, and coconut flour.