Milksmith, Oma’s team up to revive North Kildonan ice cream portal

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This article was published 05/07/2024 (813 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It might be the sweetest partnership since Ben met Jerry.

Milksmith, the Corydon Village ice cream shop with the bubblegum-pink door, has opened a second location in Oma’s Bakeshop in North Kildonan.

Employees are serving ice cream to walk-up customers via a pink window on the side of the north Winnipeg bakeshop, including cool treats featuring baking from Oma’s.

Milksmith owner Siuleen Leibl and bakery owner Quinn McMurray formed the partnership after connecting on social media.

“I really felt just by talking to her that we were a good fit,” Leibl said. “We were both wanting to do something for the community — something new and special.”

For McMurray, partnering with Milksmith means a special part of Oma’s Bakeshop can continue.

The store, located in McIvor Mall (1795 Henderson Hwy.), had an ice cream window from 2021-23, run by the bakery’s former owner, Greg Franklin.

When Franklin retired, McMurray announced on social media the ice cream window would remain closed this year. “The bakery had gotten so busy over the last while that I couldn’t take it over myself.”

Leibl saw McMurray’s social media post and the two started talking. Soon they were making plans for Milksmith to move in.

The Henderson Highway location is offering exclusive menu items, including a parfait made with Oma’s sticky cinnamon buns and an ice cream sandwich featuring the bakeshop’s cookies.

“These special treats are designed to bring the unique tastes of both Milksmith and Oma’s together, creating a truly unique and delicious experience,” Leibl said.

Partnering with local businesses has always been important to Leibl, who opened the first Milksmith location in 2019 at 651 Corydon Ave.

Known for its rolled ice cream, the shop has sourced ingredients from Manitoba businesses such as Utoffeea and Riverbend Orchards, and collaborated with local institution Jeanne’s Bakery to create a special dessert.

Leibl views Milksmith’s partnership with Oma’s Bakeshop as a celebration of local entrepreneurship.

“We believe that by working together, small businesses can create a stronger, more vibrant community,” she said. “Our new ice cream window at Oma’s (Bakeshop) will not only provide a new location for our loyal customers but also introduce Milksmith’s unique flavours to Oma’s existing clientele, fostering a sense of unity and mutual support among local businesses.”

Oma’s Bakeshop, which is around 50 years old, had an ice cream window for decades until 2003. McMurray bought the bakery in 2018, and brought the window back following extensive renovations in McIvor Mall that included a facelift for the Oma’s store front.

“There are a couple ice cream locations in North Kildonan, but not right where we are,” McMurray said. “I thought, let’s put a new window in there so we can revive what used to be the Oma’s Bakeshop window.”

Marla Herda is glad she did.

The North Kildonan resident visits Oma’s regularly with her husband and two young children.

Herda and her family were upset when they learned the ice cream window wouldn’t open for the summer — and relieved when they heard the sweet news Milksmith had scooped up the opportunity to move in.

“(It is) kind of our go-to place to get ice cream,” Herda said.

She and her family visited the second Milksmith location during its July long weekend soft opening.

“It was really good,” Herda said. “My daughter really loved the pink around the window and it was our first time trying the rolled ice cream.”

Oma’s Bakeshop offers more than 150 baked goods, including its bestselling cinnamon buns, apple jacks, custom cakes and tea biscuits.

McMurray is happy ice cream is on the menu again — and Milksmith is serving it.

“It (is) a very big deal for us,” she said. “I’m super excited about it.”

aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca