There are several happenings to report on the ice cream front here in the Port City.

Here’s the scoop:

Kilwin’s, 16 Market St., has expanded. Having taken over the neighboring space previously occupied by Dang! Southern Chic boutique, Kilwin’s has now doubled in size. The additional space allows more room for customers to browse, according to supervisor Justin Wilson. With more space to display products, Kilwin’s has introduced six new ice cream flavors and nine new types of fudge as well as several new caramel apples.

New ice cream flavors include banana fudge pie, rum raisin and blue moon: a fruit-flavored blue treat likely to compete with Superman, a long standing favorite among children. New fudge flavors include double-dark chocolate, German chocolate and toasted coconut.

Kilwin’s is currently open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday–Thursday and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. After Memorial Day, hours will be 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

Tar Heel Creamery, 15 S. Water St., is now open for the season. The Hillsborough-based ice cream maker operates the Wilmington store as well as two ice cream trucks that travel throughout eastern North Carolina. Owners Tony Schwartz and Michael Fink are also working on the addition of another truck that will allow them to expand their presence at events statewide. The Wilmington store is a partnership with its building's owner Harper Peterson.

According to Schwartz, two of Tar Heel Creamery’s most popular ice cream flavors are bourbon caramel and espresso cookie. The Water Street store is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

And Kristen Spetrino, owner of Coastal Cupcakes, has purchased equipment and recipes from Karl Blaas, former owner of Velvet Freeze. Spetrino is now filling wholesale ice cream orders for several local restaurants as well as creating ice cream bars for corporate catering, weddings and parties.

Spetrino says she may eventually sell ice cream by the pint or half-gallon at Coastal Cupcakes, but for now she is focused on creating custom flavors for restaurants as well as continuing to expand her cupcake selection and grow the Topsee Tulip frosting brand. Topsee Tulip is now available in 32 Whole Foods stores throughout the South.

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