We had the good fortune of connecting with Erika Thomas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Erika, what do you attribute your success to?
There’s never just one thing that makes a business successful. For me it’s a mix of passion, perseverance, and some rainbow sprinkles of creativity.

Passion is the driving force behind everything we do at High Point Creamery. I mean, it’s not that hard to be passionate about ice cream, right? But beyond just loving what we do, it’s
about infusing that passion into every batch, every flavor, and every interaction with our guests.

Perseverance is key in this business. Running an ice cream shop isn’t always easy, there are challenges, setbacks, and plenty of late nights scooping away. But it’s the ability to keep
pushing forward, even when things get rough, that makes the difference.

And then there’s creativity. ice cream is basically a blank canvas just waiting to be painted with flavor. From classic combos to wild, out-of-the-box creations, we’re constantly experimenting
and pushing the boundaries of what ice cream can be. It’s this spirit of creativity that keeps things exciting for us and keeps our customers coming back for more.

The perfect blend of passion, perseverance, and creativity has been the recipe for our success here at High Point Creamery. Oh, and maybe a little bit of sugar and cream too!

What should our readers know about your business?
Ten years ago, while opening our very first ice cream shop, I really had no idea what lay in store. The idea was relatively simple- our mission was to use happy ingredients, to make happy ice cream, while developing happy employees, in order to make you a happy customer.

Since then, we’ve grown to include three, soon to be four, High Point Creamery locations, an ice cream truck named Big Pinky, the birth of our sister brand, Eiskaffee, all alongside a thriving wholesale business, our footprint in the community has expanded far beyond what I initially envisioned.

I don’t think there’s a single restaurant who can say the last 4 years has been easy, but it has had its own rewards. Through determination and the willingness to pivot, we’ve turned obstacles into opportunities for growth.

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is the importance of staying true to our vision while remaining flexible enough to embrace change. We’re currently wrapping up the renovation of our fourth High Point Creamery location, once an outdated Cold Stone. Stepping into the space, frozen in time with remnants of red wallpaper and brown tile… It reinforced for me that stagnation, whether as a brand or as an individual, inhibits our ability to contribute meaningfully to the community. I had to make this the cutest, best ice cream shop we’ve ever done, go for broke and fill the space with joy! The neighborhood deserves it.

At our core, we want the world to know that High Point Creamery is more than just ice cream; it’s a celebration of craftsmanship, creativity, and connection. Our brand story is one of passion, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. We are still Lavishly Crafting Joy!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We’d start in the rino neighborhood at the Denver Central Market, it’s not only home to our 2nd location of High Point Creamery but is also a bustling food hall is a foodie’s paradise, offering a diverse range of food from artisanal sandwiches to freshly shucked oysters. It’s the perfect spot to grab a bite with friends and explore the local food scene. After you’ve filled up there, make sure to check out the alleys where graffiti artists from all over the world have painted amazing murals. There’s also some great shopping and RiNo Empire collective is a can’t miss.

For dinner I’d head a few blocks east to UCHI, it’s a wonderful Japanese restaurant and is our family’s go to restaurant for birthday celebrations. While their sashimi and fish are amazing don’t miss the crispy chicken.

The next day I would be super lazy and get myself to the closest Santiago’s for a breakfast burrito. A Denver institution, you really can’t go wrong at Santiago’s Then we’d head out of town for a nice drive on the Lariat Loop. The loop is a 40-mile scenic route connecting the towns of Golden, Morrison, and Evergreen. We’d end our drive at Red Rocks Amphitheatre to take in one of the most iconic places in Colorado.

Lastly, we’d head to Denver’s oldest restaurant The Buckhorn Exchange for dinner. The taxidermy and steak are why you’re here. But where else can you try Rocky Mountain Oysters, Rattlesnake and Alligator? You kind of have to see it to believe it.

From Modern Japanese to a traditional old west steak house, Denver really does have it all!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
While I’m frequently portrayed as the driving force behind our businesses, it’s crucial to acknowledge that none of this journey would have been possible without my husband and partner, Chad Stutz. Many wonder how we navigate working together as a married couple. The truth is, it’s remarkably simple: we’re absolute partners in both life and business. Where I thrive in being the creative, Chad excels in the realm of finance and stability. Just as there can be no art without science, he represents the complementary aspect of my vision. For the past decade his support, patience, and financial expertise have been a cornerstone of our success.

Website: highpointcreamery.com, www.eiskaffee.co, sugarlabcolorado.com

Instagram: highpointcreamery, eiskaffee.co, hpcbigpinky

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-thomas-64116492/

Twitter: HighPointCreamery

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HighPointCreamery

Image Credits
courtesy High Point Creamery

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