In 2015 there was one Kelly homemade ice cream: Audubon Park. And they dreamed of growing up to their owners, Kelly and Scott Seidl.
“We thought we had one store as a hobby or a special project, maybe two,” she says with a laugh.
Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel
Scott and Kelly Seidl (Riccardo Ramirez Bacceda/Orlando Sentinel) of Kelly’s homemade ice cream, originally located at the original location of 3114 Corrine Drive in Orlando in 2022.
On the eve of the company’s 10th anniversary, Orlando’s homemade ice cream shop will feature six scoop shops and 37 counter venues at Foxtail coffee locations throughout the state. You can get O-Dough, Cookie Monster and Banana Pudding in Clermont and Cocoa Beach, Sanford and Orlando, Sarasota. And soon you’ll see your favorite flavors and how all the merchandise blends together to drizzle over it at its brand new 8,670 square feet Altamonte Springs production facility.
“It’s surreal,” says Kelly Seidl, founder of Kelly. Kelly Seidle’s ice cream dream began in the living room during the children’s shifts at Arnold Palmer Hospital at Orlando Health.
In the early days, she just wondered if she could make ice cream, and it seems like a good enough question. The production facility will support further growth as it serves Kelly locations in the state and sets new goals. This is the practice that Seidl is always part of success.
“You’re always worried every day, but what you look forward to has made us successful,” Seidl says. “Planning and setting rocks and goals is what actually takes you to the next level. And it’s not always going to exceed your goals, but changing them as needed.”
Strategicization is what she wants to do, including asking other businesses how they do things.
“We have many different friends from different industries. They’re a huge help,” she says. “There are things you don’t know. Sometimes you end up learning over time… It’s not painful to ask questions.
Seidl still tries local ice cream in every city she visited and remains open-minded about best practices. Kelly’s recipes will not change, but there is always room for improvement on every level.
“There was an ice cream shop where I grew up and I did the same thing every year, and they never changed.
Five frozen favourites in Central Florida for the first weekend of summer
The newest ones are facilities now. It features three batch freezers and a brand new continuous ice cream freezer for even larger batches, which not only can supply all the scoop shops and counters in the state, but also extends the time for new releases.
“Everyone was wondering how we would make ice cream. Now we have a place where everyone can see how we do it.”
There are large windows in both the bakery and ice cream production rooms, allowing visitors to watch the process. Seidl said the tour will take place later this year and could expand even further if additional “production facilities” come online. Seidls acquired 10 acres at Osteen earlier this year. And next year she will turn 40.
“I told Scott I wanted a dairy cow for my birthday,” she says.
And while one cow is a simple start, it’s a perfect circle for a girl who has proven that her grandparents’ dairy products are a powerful source of inspiration.
“You start by milking the cows, making ice cream and seeing if there’s a big difference in taste, quality, etc. But that’s a big dream.”
It was also one scoop shop. Ten years could change dramatically. But some things remain the same.
Last month, Seidl opened Kelly’s first hospital location within Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital. Charity, along with Orlando Health, is often the way she continues to maintain her connection with her nursing career. This movement is meaningful. “I’ve always believed that ice cream can brighten up someone’s day. I love the idea of bringing a little sweetness and comfort to patients, visitors and hospital staff.”
She says ice cream isn’t something to do.
“It depends on materials and love. You can’t cut the corners.”
Find me on Facebook, Tiktok, Twitter, Instagram @Amydroo, or Osfoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com, For more food fun, join Let’s Eat and Orlando Facebook Group.
If you’re going
On July 20th, Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream will celebrate 50% Off Ice Cream Day (Excluded) from 11am to 4pm at the following locations: Additionally, you can choose a limited time birthday corn (breaking waffle corn on a birthday cake is soaked in corn coating on birthday bills and strawberry yam crumbs).
