A season of sweet treats, summer has one classic dessert that reigns supreme: ice cream.
Bellingham has a wealth of independent ice cream shops, and two new businesses are opening just in time for summer 2025. Here’s what to expect from those newcomers, plus a guide to our existing favorites in Whatcom County.
Nova Scoops
It’s not often that an ice cream cart falls in your lap — but that’s what happened to Jesi van Leeuwen. She and her husband, BJ van Leeuwen, co-own Nova Scoops with their friends, Carla and Matt Shaver. The concept came about when the Shavers noticed more families bringing kids to Goods Local Brews, their favorite neighborhood watering hole.
“The owner of Goods just happened to mention to our friends the lack of options for kids besides food,” van Leeuwen said. “[Nova Scoops] was Matt’s idea. He brought it to my husband, BJ, and then the four of us kind of ran with it.”
Soon enough, the families hauled an ice cream cart all the way from Eastern Washington and set up shop at Goods in May. They currently offer six flavors from Whatcom County-based Edaleen Dairy — vanilla, blackberry, cookies and cream, mint, cookie crumble, root beer and a chocolate flavor called “Fudgy Wudgy” — plus a dairy-free mango sorbet.
“People around here just love Edaleen ice cream,” van Leeuwen said. “They’re like, ‘Oh, it’s best. It’s the creamiest.’”
Nova Scoops will celebrate its grand opening the weekend of June 13–15, right as public schools start summer break. And although the cart was founded with families in mind, “Even folks who are just walking by with their dog or their partner stop and they get a big smile on their face,” van Leeuwen said. “They’re like, ‘Oh, we’re so excited you’re here.’ So I think it’s going to be a really great addition to the neighborhood.”
Nova Scoops is open 4–7 p.m. Thursday, 4–8 p.m. Friday, and 2:30–8 p.m. Saturday–Sunday at Goods Local Brewing (2620 Northwest Ave.). Hours are subject to change; check social media before heading out. Info: instagram.com/novascoopsbellingham.
Little Dreamer Ice Cream
Barkley Village residents also have a new option for their afternoon sugar fix: Little Dreamer Ice Cream, now open near the Regal movie theater as of this May. Founded by the family behind Woods Coffee, the shop serves up a range of small-batch flavors, each of which are made in-house.
If you’re not already hungry, Little Dreamer’s flavor lineup may change your mind: Options range from butter pecan to berry cobbler (made with marionberry swirl and cobbler topping), Circus Animal (featuring Circus Animal cookies) and classic strawberry shortcake (featuring real shortcake pieces).
Little Dreamer’s signature flavor, “Dream Crunch,” has a vanilla ice cream base with house-made granola, mini chocolate chips and a caramel swirl. Other favorites include Peanut Butter S’mores, made with a peanut butter ice cream base, mini marshmallows, chocolate chips and graham crackers.
Barkley Village Marketing VP Leah Macaleer said in a news release that Little Dreamer represents “the best of what our neighborhood stands for: community, creativity and a love for the local. We know they’re going to become a fast favorite for everyone in the neighborhood who enjoys a sweet treat.”
Little Dreamer is open daily from noon to 10 p.m. at 3011 Cinema Place, Suite 101. Info: littledreamericecream.com.
Tried-and-true classics
Mallard Ice Cream is a go-to for ice cream in downtown Bellingham. It’s notable for creative flavors like ube, Super Vanilla (made with a Tahitian and Madagascar vanilla blend), strawberry basil pie, and dairy-free options such as Tequila Sunrise Sorbet. Flavors including Antler Baking Co. Cookie Dough and Tony’s Coffee Cold Brew even spotlight other local businesses.
The Selkie Scoop is a fan favorite at the waterfront Portal Container Village — especially if you like handmade waffle cones. Their from-scratch organic flavor lineup rotates frequently, but previous favorites include raspberry rhubarb, lemon poppyseed and dairy-free chocolate (made with cashew and coconut milk).
Crooked Spoon (formerly known as Acme Valley Ice Cream) is known for its stretchy, ultra-creamy consistency. Unlike traditional ice cream makers, Crooked Spoon doesn’t incorporate air, resulting in a texture more akin to gelato than traditional after-school treats. You can pick up a pint in grocery stores or at their brick-and-mortar in historic Fairhaven.
Gelato fans may want to sample Sirena Gelato in Fairhaven and Chocolate Necessities & Gelato in downtown Bellingham. Cryo Rolls in the Granary Building is notable for both its rolled ice cream and viral TikTok fame (they’re at 1.8 million followers last time I checked). Finally, Love from London has Instagram-worthy, ice cream-stuffed “bubble waffles” and an assortment of British treats.
Further afield in Whatcom County, the Ferndale-based Sugar Shack ice cream truck makes appearances at businesses and events throughout the region. Edaleen Dairy also has locations in Blaine, Ferndale and Lynden.
Cocoa Laney is CDN’s lifestyle editor; reach her at cocoalaney@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 128.
