Eight Cow Creamery’s long-awaited storefront in Ridgefield is open to the public.
On Tuesday, Oct. 22, community members gathered to celebrate Eight Cow Creamery’s new storefront at 4327 S. Settler Drive. The event included a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by co-founder David Neil and free samples of the creamery’s signature ice cream. This pre-opening event drew an enthusiastic crowd including Mayor Ron Onslow and Ridgefield City Council and Chamber of Commerce members.
“We’re really happy with the turnout,” co-owner Alisa Neil said. “Since we’re just opening the doors and it’s the first time the kids are scooping today, they’re learning [making] German hot chocolate is really hard, so it’s good to have that [experience].”
David and Alisa Neil launched Eight Cow Creamery as a mobile ice cream truck in September of last year, with the name inspired by their eight children. The truck quickly became a local favorite, stopping at community events like Experience Ridgefield and the Spudder Olympics.
At the new location, visitors can see workers create waffle cones behind the counter and watch the ice cream-making process through a window. Eight Cow Creamery has expanded its team for the storefront, hiring more than 20 employees, many of whom are students. Hailey Smedley, chief experience officer at Eight Cow Creamery, said the business should soon have a full staff.
Visitors to the new location will find a farmhouse-style building, a tribute to Ridgefield’s agricultural roots. In homage to the city’s farming history, the Neils have curated a wall featuring photos of six local farms that sold land for new developments. One photo highlights an old dairy farm owned by the Bartel family, which eventually became the site of the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex. Neil explained they learned a lot about Ridgefield’s history by speaking with the families.
“It’s a tribute to them, so we’re very excited to get those pictures up on the wall,” Neil said.
Eight Cow Creamery collaborates with local farmers and businesses to create unique flavors. Alisa Neil highlighted this partnership with a seasonal pumpkin flavor, made using pies from Sadie and Josie’s Bakery in La Center, though it’s currently off the menu. During the summer, the creamery features locally sourced berries, including marionberries from Muñoz Berry Farm in Ridgefield. Currently, the shop offers eight classic flavors, two seasonal options, four vegan flavors, and deluxe hot chocolate. Plans are underway to expand its classic flavor selection to 10.
A grand opening celebration for the public will take place from 12-4 p.m. on Nov. 9. The creamery is open from 2-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 12-10 p.m. Friday through Saturday, and closes on Sundays. Visit eightcowcreamery.com or follow @eightcowcreamery on Instagram for more details.
