On-the-Rise Organic Ice Cream Spot Will Open In Ballard’s Growing Dessert Hub

It’s a good day for dessert fans. First, details emerge about Lynwood’s fried dough specialist Donut Factory coming to U District. Now, Sweet Alchemy — a small batch organic ice cream shop in that same neighborhood, which sources most of its ingredients from local farms — has announced that it’s officially opening up a second location in Ballard on Wednesday, April 10.

Owner and founder Lois Ko, who graduated from the University of Washington (UW) with a degree in art, opened Sweet Alchemy near the campus in 2016, but this is the store’s first expansion effort. Ko tells Eater Seattle that the new spot will have more vegan options and will also share a space (including seating) with Mighty-O Donuts, the popular doughnut chain with four other locations in the city.

She met Mighty-O owner Ryan Kellner through a business entrepreneur class at UW, and the two shared a mutual mission of sustainability. (Mighty-O makes sure to source its ingredients from companies that embrace earth-friendly practices; Sweet Alchemy works to reduce food waste and pasteurizes its dairy daily from ingredients delivered by grass-fed farms.) In fact, one of the exclusive flavors at the new Ballard location will be a collaboration of sorts: The Neapolitan will feature Mighty-O’s chocolate donuts, mixed strawberry compote from local Shuh Farms, and organic vanilla coconut cream.

The new space will also feature a handcrafted waffle cone mural in the back, sourced from the glass of Japanese fishing boats found along the Pacific Northwest coastline. It’s just one more detail Ko hopes will help Sweet Alchemy stand out in an increasingly-crowded neighborhood sweets scene. From Cupcake Royale to Hood Famous Bakeshop’s popular Filipino flavors to Full Tilt Ice Cream and Salt & Straw all in the general area, Ballard denizens already have plenty of options. The Mighty-O/Sweet Alchemy super team will work to make sure they have room for more.

• Sweet Alchemy [Official]