Besha RodellSalt & Straw, the Portland, Oregon–based ice cream company known for its fantastical flavors, will open its second L.A. location this week in Venice. The new shop, at 1357 Abbot Kinney Blvd., has already attracted crowds of ice cream lovers with the truck that's been parked out front for the last couple months. With a full-scale shop, customers will be able to get favorite flavors such as black olive and goat cheese not just in cone form but also as pints to-go, and as sundaes and milkshakes. (Who among us does not hanker every now and then for an olive-and-cheese milkshake?) There will also be artisanal products such as jams, fancy salts and chocolate for sale.
Salt & Straw founder Kim Malek brought in Andee Hess from Osmose Design in Portland to design the 1,035-square-foot space, which pays tribute to the neighborhood's artsy vibe with artwork from glass artist Sherry May of Beauvilla Glass Designs on Abbot Kinney, and a mural from L.A. artist Adi Goodrich. The shop has already made an effort to integrate itself in the community with some fundraisers over the past few months with its ice cream truck. As a result of those fundraisers, Salt will donate $4,200 to local Venice school Westminster Elementary.
Once it opens its doors this Friday, Jan. 15, Salt & Straw will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 .p.m., daily. Salt & Straw has plans to open subsequent Los Angeles shops in Studio City and the downtown Arts District later in 2016.
Salt & Straw's new Abbot Kinney store; Credit: Courtesy Salt & Straw
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