At Howdy Homemade Ice Cream in Cary, success has never tasted so sweet. And it’s not just thanks to fresh ingredients and fun flavors. At Howdy Homemade, it’s all about the person serving the ice cream and putting joy on the menu.
Founded with a mission to offer inclusive employment to individuals with special needs, Howdy Homemade Ice Cream offers its team-member “heroes” a safe environment in which to develop their individual talents and share their passion — and, of course, some very tasty treats — with the public.
Read on as store manager Nikki Williams gives us the scoop on this special shop.
Tell us what makes your ice cream so tasty!
Howdy Homemade Ice Cream is the best because we have amazing people serving amazing ice cream.
Can you share some popular flavors? Anything unique or unusual?
We do have some flavors that cannot be found in other ice cream shops. We offer Dr Pepper Chocolate Chip and unique Flavors of the Week. In the past, our Flavor of the Week has included Toffee DeLite (toffee-based ice cream with Girl Scout Caramel deLite® cookies, which we purchased from local Scouts and were mixed in), Peach, Espresso Yourself (cookies and cream ice cream with cold brew coffee from Esteamed Coffee in Cary, which supports a mission similar to ours), and many others. Our most popular flavors would probably be Dairy-Free Salted Carmel and our unique twist on Mint Chocolate Chip, made with real Andes mints.
Andrew Kostopoulos mixes up a fresh batch of ice cream.
Described as a “business with purpose,” Howdy Homemade creates jobs for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDDs). Please share the roles available and how employment at Howdy helps to shape individual lives.
At Howdy Homemade Ice Cream, we strive to help everyone achieve their full potential. Our heroes have an opportunity to participate in a variety of tasks that are tailored to their abilities. These may include greeting customers, scooping ice cream, keeping inventory, and making ice cream. By empowering individuals, we are not only impacting their physical life but also their mental well-being.
How is Howdy Homemade’s leadership rewarded for helping employees reach their full potential?
I believe every Howdy shift manager comes into our shop knowing that they will not only be serving ice cream; they will be serving a greater purpose within the community. For many of them, this is more than just a job: It is a way to give back.
In what ways is the employment environment different for those with IDDs, and how does Howdy Homemade support its heroes’ needs?
Approximately 20% of working-age individuals with IDDs are unemployed, which is significantly higher than in the typical working-age population. With accommodations and outside-the-box thinking, we believe everyone is capable of employment, and we hope to set an example for other industries. As the number of children with IDDs continues to rise, the number of working-age adults with IDDs will also continue to rise, and these individuals will need employment. Our goal is that other workplaces will see that with the right tools, employees with IDDs can be an asset to companies.
How can the community support Howdy Homemade?
There are many ways for the public to help support Howdy and its mission. The first step is to visit our Cary location on Walker Street, just down the sidewalk from Downtown Cary Park. We also offer catering services for events big and small, and we have a unique program called our Hero Club. Participants can sign up to give a one-time gift or a recurring monthly donation, which comes with benefits that go beyond just helping the community. Catering and Hero Club information can be found on our website. Howdy is sure to have treats for everyone in your family, including your furry best friend.
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I would love to visit your Howdy Ice Cream Store, but I cannot find the address.
Hi Lisbeth! The address is 370 S Walker St #123 in Cary. Have a great visit!