SALLY'S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM

In early November 2024, Sally's Homemade Ice Cream opened for business. Owner and operator Sally Koldenhof jokes, "Who opens an ice cream shop in winter?" A delay in receiving her business license and passing the health inspection pushed back the opening date, but she was determined to bring her sweet creations to the community.

As the sole owner of Steveston’s newest ice cream shop, Sally is grateful for the unwavering support of her family and friends. A longtime Steveston resident, she lives in the community with her husband and three teenage children. Before starting her business, Sally worked as an education assistant for the Richmond School District, supporting high school students with diverse needs. She later put her career on hold to focus on raising her children.

Sally began making custom sugar cookies as a creative outlet during this time. This hobby soon blossomed into Custom Cookies by Sally, a successful home-based business she ran for a decade.

Now that my kids are all teenagers, I felt it was time for a new adventure - enter ice cream!

Sally makes all the ice cream in-house in small batches. She started with 16 flavours and plans to introduce new ones each month until she reaches 24—the full capacity of her display freezer.

Steveston already has several great gelato options, so she focused on ice cream. Her ingredients include locally sourced milk, cream, and sugar and imported Italian ingredients to create rich, authentic flavours.

Some classic flavours will always be available, including chocolate, strawberry, French vanilla, cookies and cream, espresso salted caramel, bubblegum and cotton candy. “Our bestsellers so far have been Ferrero Rocher and raspberry cheesecake, along with our non-dairy options, sour lemon and mango," Sally shares.

What is her personal favourite? Mint chocolate. The newest addition to the lineup is the smooth, creamy, and sweet lemon meringue.

Sorbet lovers, stay tuned! More non-dairy sorbets will be arriving in the summer.

Sally says, “If you come into the shop, we are happy to give you samples to ensure you are happy with your choice. You can purchase a kid’s, single or double scoop. If you are having trouble narrowing down the choices, you can get a flight, which is a sampler of three or four different flavours.”

Ice cream comes in cups and regular cones, or you can upgrade to a waffle cone or Sally’s newly introduced fancydipped cones. The top of the waffle cones is dipped in chocolate and rolled with sprinkles, nuts or other candies. Gluten-free cones are available upon request.

The store has a freezer stocked with pints of ice cream. Sally mentions, “This was so helpful during the winter when it was too cold for a cone. Many of our customers have purchased pints to enjoy at home or to take to a dinner party as a hostess gift.”

Looking for the perfect gift for an ice cream lover? Treat them to a gift card from $10 to $100.

Additionally, Sally welcomes suggestions for new flavours. She keeps a list of customer requests and regularly introduces fresh creations. Who knows, your favourite flavour could be featured on the menu!

Sally believes in making every customer feel welcome by offering samples, helping customers pick their perfect scoop and listening to their suggestions. “I want everyone to be happy on a Sally’s ice cream day!” she says enthusiastically.

While she operates the shop solo most days, family members lend a hand when the sun is shining. Her children will join the team this summer, and she plans to hire additional seasonal help during the busy season.

Reflecting on her journey, Sally shares, “These last five months have been an extremely fulfilling time—I am so happy! When you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work. Opening in the winter wasn’t ideal, but it turned out to be a blessing. It gave me time to learn, grow, and connect with my customers before the summer rush.”

The positive feedback and glowing Google reviews fuel her passion. She treasures the connections she has made with regulars who stop by for a scoop and a chat and the bonus of viewing gorgeous sunsets from her shop.

In a neighbourhood filled with choices, Sally is grateful for each customer who walks through the door. “I recognize that there are many options in the area, and I am always thankful when customers choose Sally’s.”

With her dedication to quality, community, and customer happiness, it’s clear that Sally’s Homemade Ice Cream is a sweet addition to Steveston that’s here to stay.

Sally's Homemade Ice Cream

120-12240 Second Avenue Richmond, BC V7E 3L8

Phone 604-300-2217

Instagram: sallys_homemade_icecream

Story by Sarah Gordon (April 2025) @PALLAMEDIA