Hamilton’s OMG Ice Cream is turning cold treats into hot success
- Michael Kras
- 11 Aug 2022
A new spot for sweet summery treats recently opened its doors in Hamilton, but it already comes with more than half a decade of sweet success under its belt.
That’s because OMG Ice Cream and Frozen Treats – now open at 1047 King Street West in Hamilton – is building on its popular flagship location in Brantford, which has been family owned and operated since 2016.
Founded by Derek Stockdale, the shop prides itself in being what they call the “ultimate ice cream experience,” serving up a menu of all things cold and sweet that go beyond simple ice cream cones.
In fact, OMG Ice Cream also sells delicious milkshakes, flurries, breakfast cones, ice cream sandwiches, ice cream cakes, mini donuts, fourteen different types of indulgent sundae, and something the shop calls a ‘Brain Freeze’ which combines soft serve ice cream with a slushie base.
Though launching that original Brantford location came with its share of challenges, the payoffs for this small business have been well worth it.
“During our first year we had a lot of learning curves, but quickly gained a loyal following of customers who love our delicious frozen treats and our exceptional customer service,” says Stockdale.
Their gradual growth over the handful of years to follow led to numerous shifts in their operations, from continually adding and removing menu items to expanding their space from a cozy 400 square feet to 1100 square feet; all while continuing to build their customer base and involving themselves meaningfully in the local community.
“One of our staples since day one has been that we have supported all youth sports in our community through team sponsorships and making sure every child that plays gets a free cone,” adds Stockdale. “To date, we have given away 17,000 free cones!”
Like all small businesses, OMG Ice Cream was rapidly hit with a looming uncertainty when the COVID-19 pandemic officially became a global health emergency in 2020; but rather than throw in the towel, Stockdale was seizing further opportunities to grow the business he’s so passionate about.
“In 2021, an opportunity arose to open a second location in the north end of Brantford,” he says.
“Timing was not perfect, but the location was. As the great one – Wayne Gretzky – once said: ‘you miss 100 per cent of the shots you don’t take,’ so we opened May of that year.”
Now with a pair of booming Brantford locations under their belt, Stockdale felt even more emboldened to expand OMG Ice Cream. With the new goal of opening another location in a different city, he set his sights on Hamilton; in particular, the lovely locale of Westdale Village.
“We thought it was a great spot, with a beautiful neighbourhood and community with lots of foot traffic, stores, and McMaster University close by. We felt it was the perfect fit!” Stockdale says.
Just in time for the sting of summer heat, OMG Ice Cream flung open the doors of its first Hamilton location on June 24th, 2022, readily greeted by a steady stream of eager customers ready to get their first tastes of one of Westdale Village’s only ice cream shops, and the only one that’s independently owned and operated.
What’s next for OMG Ice Cream? Well, if the business’ upward trajectory is any indication, it’s sure to see even more growth in the years to come, with Stockdale eyeing more opportunities to expand to further locations in the region and even across Canada.
If that nationwide expansion happens, Hamilton’s location of OMG Ice Cream and Frozen Treats ought to be sweetly remembered as one of the ones that started it all.
Learn more about OMG Ice Cream on their website, and follow them on social media here.
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