OMAHA, Neb (KMTV) — As the pandemic continues to hit us hard, 3 News Now is bringing you stories on how we can rebound from the effects. One thing we can all do this time of year to help local businesses is Shop the Heartland for the Holidays - by purchasing holiday gifts from local companies.
If you're struggling to find a gift for that special someone who seems to have everything. You may want to appeal to their taste buds. The creator of a Metro ice cream and gelato parlor tells Serese Cole - ice cream is not only a tasty gift...it is the perfect gift.
On a busy Dundee corner, sits one of the tastiest businesses in town.
It's also where you can find eCreamery co-founder and ice cream maker Abby Jordan doing what she does best.
Since opening this ice cream parlor 13 years ago, she knows one thing for sure.
"Ice cream makes everybody feel better, Jordan said.
But this is no regular ice cream shop.
"What really sets us apart is that we ship our online ice cream gifts directly to your doorstep," Jordan explained.
Getting it there - is a challenge.
"We've spent a lot of time perfecting that recipe to make sure we could ship it across the country and when it arrives would be the wonderfully delicious decadent ice cream that it is," Jordan added.
eCreamery has sold and delivered hundreds of thousands of pint-sized goodness over the years.
There's a pint for every occasion - from birthdays to big days to when someone just needs a boost kind of day.
While the pandemic drew many online customers this year, the holiday season is still their big season.
The festive flavors are already on display.
"This year we have a candy cane flavor, eggnog, gingerbread cookie - which is just delicious with pieces of gingerbread cookie mixed in," Jordan described.
"Out of the four holiday flavors you can choose from this time of year - I'm told white chocolate peppermint is by far the best," Serese Cole said.
"It's white chocolate ice cream with candy cane pieces, and big chocolate chunks. It's delicious," described Jordan.
But this holiday season is different.
"People aren't going to be able to travel and they aren't going to be able to spend time with family even local. So we've seen a lot of ice cream gifts going local as well because people are just staying home, staying safe. So shipping our ice cream gifts - even across the county or city is a great way to celebrate and to bring some joy and comfort during this time especially this holiday season," Jordan said.
The holidays are for giving thanks.
While Abby has a lot to be grateful for, she's most thankful for Omaha.
"We absolutely love being a part of Omaha being a part of the Omaha community."
And the ice cream lovers who support her small business - one creamy scoop at a time.
Abby says she's also thankful for their appearance on Shark Tank eight years ago. Even though the sharks passed on the company, she says the exposure was tremendous. eCreamery still has the flavors they prepared for the sharks on the menu.
If you want to give them a try, there are two locations: The Dundee Parlor is located at 5001 Underwood and the West Parlor is located at 762 N. 114th Street in Omaha. You can also check out all the flavors at ecreamery.com.