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Success tastes extra sweet at Miami Gardens’ newest dessert spot, Ice Cream Heaven. Opened just last December, and still open for take-out only during the Coronavirus pandemic, this independent ice cream shop has quickly made a name for itself thanks to big flavors and a house party vibe, becoming a favorite for celebrities like Flo Rida and Trick Daddy.
The shop is the brainchild of a black entrepreneurial dream team, beginning with Christine “Nikki” Prince, who wanted to present ice cream in a modern way. To bring this vision to life, she teamed up with fellow Miami entrepreneurs, Starex Smith of the popular food blog, The Hungry Black Man, and Felecia Hatcher, founder of Black Tech Week.
They imagined a space where people can come throughout the week for ice cream, great music, and Instagram-worthy experiences. “It’s a real vibe,” shares Smith. “We wanted to create something that was unique and tasty. While it is family friendly, we wanted adults to have a space for themselves.”
The result is a menu that goes beyond the basics, with unique items like their “Big Azz” ice cream sandwich which includes fresh-made ice cream squeezed between two large homemade cookies. They also feature alcohol-infused ice creams like the cognac peach and rum raisin.
Most of Ice Cream Heaven’s products are also made by fellow local black entrepreneurs. The ice cream is made by Cleveland Smith, a black ice cream maker with over 40 years of experience. Cindy Lou’s Cookies in Miami makes the cookies for the ice cream sandwiches.
Smith attributes much of their early success to these valuable partnerships. “Entrepreneurship isn’t a one-man-game, it’s a team sport,” he said. “The reward is greater when we work together.”
For the future, they plan to expand the menu to include finger foods, and open another location in Overtown, Miami. The company plans to continue supporting local African-American businesses and communities.
Ice Cream Heaven is located at 17560 NW 27th Avenue in Miami Gardens. As of April 8th, Ice Cream Heaven is open daily from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm for take-out only in accordance with the updated COVID-19 policies.
