Town Square is the destination for North Texans looking for a wide variety of dining and shopping amongst some of the best national name brands. But when it comes to everyone’s favorite summer treat bring your ice cream cravings to Milwaukee Joe’s, the local parlor with the not so local name.
Milwaukee Joe’s, named after its founder Joe Libowsky, was originally established 14 years ago in Bedford. Libowsky, a Milwaukee native, quickly built a great reputation for serving high quality ice cream and added locations in Dallas and in Southlake Town Square. Joe and his partners did well for themselves; two years ago they decided to sell their business to another local couple and retire back to Milwaukee. Many in the community were disappointed at the loss of a great Southlake tradition.
Enter Alan and Ginger Higginbotham, they were looking for a line of work they both could do together and enjoy along with their customers. Alan had spent the bulk of his career as a gas plant manager for a major oil company and Ginger was a homemaker and together they were looking for a change. Now they work together in what they call the “entertainment industry” providing their share of fun while continuing to give families one more great reason to get out and enjoy the Southlake Town Square experience.
Alan and Ginger Higginbotham, still carry on the traditions that made Milwaukee Joe’s a hit amongst Southlake’s kids and parents alike. Small, hand-crafted batches of the freshest fruits, natural flavors and finest chocolates are carefully blended by a singular ice cream technician. Alan says, “No fancy computer controls here, just one person making sure that everything is done properly.” A single full time ice cream technician at the Bedford facility feeds the needs of all three Milwaukee Joe’s locations.
Regulars to Milwaukee Joe’s are quite familiar with the 20 or so “regular flavors” like; Ginger’s favorite- Cookies and Cream and Alan’s - Peanut Butter Cookie Dough. But what really keeps people coming back are the over 300 recipes utilized in their special “flavor of the day” offerings which include such favorites as; Double Chocolate Cinnamon (Dark Chocolate ice cream with Belgian chocolate chips and cinnamon), Black Cherry Amaretto (Amaretto ice cream with big juicy black cherries) and Peach Cobbler (Marinated peaches, cinnamon and pieces of home-made cream cheese crust). According to Ginger, “Some of our ingredients are quite expensive, but we feel if you want to be the best, you have to use the best.
Milwaukee Joe’s also uses top shelf ingredients in some of their more mature offerings. Bailey’s Irish Cream®, Jack Daniels® and Wild Turkey® have been known to find their way into more than a few fun flavors. Bailey’s Irish Cream® mixed with Andes® is better known as Bailey’s Mint Chip and Wild Turkey® Whiskey is the main ingredient in Wild Turkey Pecan Pie (brown sugar ice cream and chunks of pecan pie).
Despite the over 300 flavors of ice cream, Milwaukee Joe’s is always looking for a new concoctions to add to their list. According to Alan, the craziest flavor is “Disco Lives” a bright blue concoction of fruity flavors with a healthy serving of Nerds candy blended in. It’s what you would expect from kids and ice cream enthusiasts who submit their tasty thoughts and flavor wishes online at www.milwaukeejoes.com. Online visitors can also sign up for email alerts so they can get the scoop every time a fresh new batch of their favorite flavor is ready.
Alan’s previous work experience has come in handy. He says, “Running an ice cream business is really like most other manufacturing companies. We just make ice cream instead of widgets.” However, the main difference for him is the extra personal interactions of meeting and serving his customers. They understand that giving customers a good product is just as important as giving them good service. Alan and Ginger agree, “Nothing is more pleasing than to hear the oohs and ahhs of a very satisfied customer. We take extra care and pride in creating a product that really makes an impression on our customers.” Such care in fact, that they often go out of their way to ensure that each location has their customer’s favorite flavors on hand according to schedule. Alan says, “If they make a trip and we don't have what they came for we really feel like we let our friends down. We make special trips to try and keep that from happening.”
Milwaukee Joe’s continues to make quite an impression; many customers drive a fair distance to their stores just to get a taste of their favorite flavor. Often time’s customers have even asked for locations to be opened closer to their homes. “We’re flattered by the request,” says Alan, “but expanding is harder to do than it looks.”
Ask customers if they enjoy their Milwaukee Musketeerski, Positively Pistachio or Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookie and you will no doubt get rave reviews (as soon as their done eating). Likewise, asking Alan and Ginger about their new jobs will get you the same smile filled response. What could be better than selling something that makes people happy!