Fort Worth-based Melt Ice Creams is looking to the future as it settles into its new corporate headquarters.
After outgrowing its former HQ in Fort Worth’s historic O.B. Macaroni building, the premium small-batch ice cream company moved to its new home base and central kitchen in Edgecliff Village last fall. The space at 685 John B. Sias Memorial Parkway gives Melt more than twice the square footage of its old home, setting the company up for potential future expansion.
Melt was founded in 2014 by Kari Crowe Seher and her husband, Mark Seher. What started as a single location has blossomed into four stores, with a fifth set to open in downtown Fort Worth. If all goes to plan, the latest location on Main Street, across from Grace restaurant, will open in time for the Main Street Arts Festival, which kicks off on April 10.
The downtown location will be one of Melt’s largest shops, with two entrances and space indoors and outdoors to enjoy an ice-cold treat. The store replaces its former Sundance Square location, which had to close following the end of its five-year lease on the space.
“We would have liked to stay at the current location, but we didn’t get the opportunity for a lease renewal. We love being downtown, we love having a presence there,” Crowe Seher, per Fort Worth Report.
Crowe Seher says the newly expanded headquarters, around 10,000 square feet, has the potential to serve upwards of 15 locations in addition to the company’s events and catering business.
Melt currently has one location in Dallas, the Bishop Arts District, but Crowe Seher believes there is room for more.
“I think there are opportunities at Alliance, in Arlington, Southlake; we only have one small store in Dallas. Dallas is very big, and the surrounding areas are growing — Frisco, Plano. There’s just a lot,” she said.
When it comes to expansion outside of North Texas, Crowe Seher says she is not interested.
“My goal is for us to build as best an ice cream shop as we can in and around Dallas-Fort Worth and for it to stay a Fort Worth brand,” she said. “My goal is not to really go outside DFW.”
Last month, Melt announced its spring flavors, which are now available. They include Texas Lavender Honey Crunch, Strawberry Shortcake, Pistachio Cherry Swirl, Lemon Blueberry Pie, and more.