Ice Cream Shop
Little Man Ice Cream Co.
Multiple Locations
“Change the world, one scoop at a time.”
The ice cream shop is a sacred place.
The ice cream shop is a place of childlike wonder. There’s something magical in the combination of frozen cream, milk, and sugar (dairy alternatives can be magical too). But more than just dessert, the ice cream shop is place of welcome. It is common ground. Many of the differences that divide us disappear. An ice cream shop cultivates commonality as conversations of our favorite flavors, childhood experiences, and “the best” locations occur while we wait in line.
Little Man Ice Cream opened in the Highlands neighborhood in 2008 by Paul Tamburello. It was named after his father, whose nickname was “Little Man”. His father was a man small in stature, but big in heart. His big heart inspired Tamburello to create a place for the community to come together. He built the first Little Man Ice Cream shop in 2008 in an iconic 28’ tall ice cream can.
Tamburello’s belief is an ice cream shop is about the experience. “I want a kid to walk up and have a sense of wonder that’s beyond ice cream. We want to create a magical experience for people.” Each Little Man location reflects the place and is designed to represent the neighborhood. There’s a 75’ airplane at Denver’s original international airport location. Sweet Cooie’s in Congress Park has an interior like a Tiffany’s jewelry box, and is named it after Tamburello’s mother. The Little Man Ice Cream Factory, in the Sloan’s Lake neighborhood, is an industrial factory mixed with Willy Wonka whimsy. Every Little Man Ice Cream location is a unique design to bring joy and wonder.
The mission of Little Man Ice Cream is, “To be good stewards of the people we work with and the planet we live in.” If it sounds spiritual for an ice cream shop, it’s because Tamburello was previously a youth pastor. There is a sincerity and intentionality in investing into the growth of the young people who work in the various locations. The company’s philanthropy extends into the neighborhoods with every shop partnering with local nonprofits. Beyond local partnerships with nonprofits, Scoop for Scoop, donates a scoop of rice, beans or other essential foods to global communities for every scoop of ice cream purchased.
Little Man Ice Cream is sweet reminder how a business can create good for both people and place. It is an ice cream shop that cultivates wonder and extends welcome for everyone. The ice cream shop is a sacred place.
Watch a video on the impact and influence of Little Man Ice Cream from City Unite.
