New downtown dessert shop opens this weekend

Update: One week after opening, Sub Zero Desserts added Sunday hours of 2 to 9 p.m.

March 10, 2023

The forecast calls for snow, but that’s not stopping Sub Zero Desserts from opening downtown on Saturday.

“I have no clue what to expect, because normally the 41st Street location on opening day is a line wrapped in that parking lot, and it just stays that way the whole time,” said Jessica Rooney, who owns Sub Zero and Dakota Snow with her husband, Matthew. “We have no idea what to expect. What happens, happens. It could be crazy. It might be calm. We’ll see.”

The menu for the couple’s first year-round offering – along East Eight Street in the 8th & Railroad Center – features rolled ice cream, shaved ice, signature shaved ice that also has ice cream, Snow Shakes, Dole Whips and boba tea. For a dairy-free ice cream option, Sub Zero uses coconut milk.

With a new soft-serve machine, Sub Zero can make Dole Whip twists with two flavors or one flavor and the vanilla ice cream that’s used for the signature shaved ice.

The shop has four rolled ice cream plates to keep up when it’s busy.

Sub Zero will stock several grab-and-go items, including ice cream cookie sandwiches, Dole Whip cups, rolled ice cream, vegan and gluten-free push-pops, cookies, edible cookie dough and cake. The single-serving-size cake in a cup is kicking off with four flavors: red velvet, lemon raspberry, triple chocolate and peanut butter chocolate.

The addition of cake is a nod to former tenant Prairie C Dessert Bar, which closed in February because the owner is moving to New York City. Sub Zero also will make Italian sodas like Prairie C did. It will have Pepsi fountain drinks and gourmet lemonade.

Slices of cheesecake might be coming from Chef Ellen, the prepared-meal kitchen near 69th Street and Western Avenue where Sub Zero has been stocking items for a couple of years.

“If people don’t want to wait in line, they can come grab it and check out,” Rooney said of the items in a freezer and cooler near the front door.

The shop also will stock paint-it-yourself cookies.

“And then if they want to do them here, we’ll just send them with a little cup of water so they can do it here,” she said.

Customers will be able to sit inside to eat their treats or outside at a few tables when the weather is nice.

Hours until school gets out – or sooner if warmer weather arrives — will be 2 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. If there’s an event downtown on a Sunday, the ice cream shop at 401 E. Eighth St., Suite 105, will open for that.

The original seasonal location for Sub Zero Desserts at 501 E. 41st St. will continue to operate as will the two Dakota Snow trailers.

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New downtown dessert shop opens this weekend

The forecast calls for snow, but that’s not stopping Sub Zero Desserts from opening Saturday.

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