A new plant-based ice cream shop has its grand opening in Dunedin this week. Chelsea’s Cashew Creamery, located at 719 Broadway, is Tampa Bay’s newest spot for dairy-free vegan ice cream crafted with cashew milk, and they’re already a hit with the neighborhood after the recent soft open.

All of the cashew-based ice cream is made in house, and the creamery offers flavors like Dutch chocolate, mango, mocha, salted caramel, and even a lemongrass and Thai basil. Previous options include creative flavors like Earl grey, ginger, masala chai, maple walnut, and turmeric.

The new concept is actually a mother-son venture that started when the duo saw the lack of options for those who can’t have traditional ice cream or who follow a specific diet. They toyed with several options to create a vegan ice cream, ultimately concluding that cashew milk provided the best flavor and texture for their creamy creations. The creamery uses all natural and fresh ingredients to make both the ice cream base and the flavors, and they also offer vegan and gluten-free ice cream cone options.

“After much research and experimentation, we found cashew milk gave us the rich and creamy texture we were looking for without tasting like whatever base we used,” their website says. “It was then that we decided were ready to open our own cashew creamery!”

Find pup-friendly digs at Chelsea’s

However, while it was a desire to provide delicious alternatives for people in need, the inspiration behind the name is actually a bit smaller (and furrier) than its target audience. The namesake of the creamery is, in fact, a Pembroke Welsh corgi named Chelsea, the family pet to whom Chelsea’s Cashew Creamery has been dedicated. With that in mind, the creamery serves pup-friendly ice cream to any dog who stops in, as well.

Chelsea’s has already soft opened, and its grand opening celebration, complete with a ribbon cutting ceremony, is this Thursday, June 23, from 11 am – 1 pm. For normal operating hours, Chelsea’s is open Monday-Thursday from 1-9 pm, Friday from 1-10 pm, Saturday from 12-10 pm, and Sunday from 12-9 pm.

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