Craft icecream shop for Sumner
Handmade icecream and fresh fruit sorbet maker Utopia Ice has opened a shop in Sumner, just in time for summer. It has set up shop at 15 Wakefield Ave, a stone’s throw away from the beach.
Local couple Mandy Klapschuweit and Sebastian Koburg launched the icecream business three years ago with a small stall at the Christchurch Farmers’ Market, which is still going strong.
Last season, their uniquely flavoured icy treats gathered a loyal following with a pop-up kiosk at the Sumner Beach Bar.
Having an icecream store has been a long-time dream for the couple, originally from Berlin.
‘‘For us it has always been the dream to have an icecream place by the sea. It took us a few hard years, so to finally open our own place doesn’t feel like reality,’’ Klapschuweit says.
Together Koburg, a patisserie chef by trade, and Klapschuweit make French-style icecream ‘‘the old-fashioned way’’ using egg yolk and cream. They flavour their creations with seasonal market ingredients such as black boy peaches and fresh mint.
They also specialise in plantbased icecream, made with coconut and cashew milks. ‘‘The vegan community loves us.’’
The shop has allowed them to add six new flavours to their lineup, including its new plantbased oat cookie crumble and blackberry jam icecream. But favourites like the ever-popular sea salt caramel and popcorn and elderflower and greek yoghurt will stick around.
There are also waffless, espresso coffee and cold-pressed juice on the menu.
The small shop has a ‘‘beautiful garden’’, with outdoor seating among fruit trees and a herb garden.
‘‘We wanted to create a place for the neighbourhood. I think it adds something really cool for the community.’’
❚ Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 6pm and late night Friday and Saturday to 9pm. Check Utopia Ice’s Facebook page for extended opening hours through summer.