With grown-up gourmet flavors, a new brand introduces cannabis-infused ice cream in the heart of LA.
Few things in this world are more wonderfully gluttonous than ice cream. We have childhood memories of eating ice cream cones with friends, laughing away the blister of hot summer days while shoveling spoonfuls into our mouths, or enjoying the cold of winter snowfall while we shiver and devour a cup of our favorite flavor(s). Ice cream provides us all a comfort that only this frozen concoction can bring, and as we’ve matured, our love for gourmet ice cream has grown with us.
The meaning of luxury has evolved over the years, but this past year the idea of luxury has leaned less toward things and more toward unique experiences, foods, and stepping out of our comfort zones. So, when word of Mellow Ice Cream, a luxury brand of ice cream infused with THC and CBD got out? We knew something special had come to town. With a brand devotion to using and sourcing high-quality, natural ingredients and a desire to break cannabis stigmas, Mellow really is a welcome addition to the culinary cannabis marketplace. In fact, once it opens to the public and real live human interaction is granted again, we’ll be first in line.
Mellow Ice Cream is changing the way we indulge. Located in the heart of Downtown LA, Mellow is a brand-new company you’ll want to keep on your ice cream speed dial.
When Mellow announced its opening at the end of 2020, we were dying to get a taste. The pandemic didn’t stop the four partners—Jesse Bride, Enrique Gonzalez, Chris Cornish, and Miguel Sugay—from adjusting, adapting, and creating. We reached out and, with the wave of an ice cream flavored magic wand, Cornish drove out in one of Mellow’s fleet of Teslas with built-in trunk freezers and delivered two pints for us to taste. With packaging that has a coolness factor and simple messaging that isn’t lost in a sea of labels, as well as a Mellow apparel line, these gents are bringing luxe to Los Angeles.
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The two Mellow flavors we tried, mint chocolate chip and Tahitian vanilla peanut butter cup, easily stand up to gourmet brands. While our samples weren’t infused, the ice cream itself is beautifully balanced with ingredients so fresh you can literally taste the namesake flavors. The mint chocolate chip took me back to some of my most nostalgic moments of growing up in LA.
We caught up with the four partners for a collective Q&A on how Mellow came to be.
Tell us about Mellow’s origin story.
As four distinct entrepreneurs, we all had separate reasons for entering the cannabis space given the varying degrees at which cannabis impacted our lives. As friends, we had honest conversations regarding these personal experiences in and out of the business world. Given the trust we shared, forming a partnership was a no-brainer. We also have families and pressures from the global pandemic as well as state and federal legislation, it prompted us to stay agile in our processes while creating solutions in an ever-changing market.
Why open up shop in DTLA?
It was no secret that California is the largest cannabis market for us to enter. We wanted to align with the best in the industry, and we already had boots on the ground in DTLA, namely Chris Cornish and Miguel Sugay. This allowed us to open up our office and get to work very quickly. We also knew that many of the solutions being provided to the industry are in California, and we planned to contribute to that aspect of the industry as a solutions provider ourselves.
What keeps you inspired?
Feedback and support from the market have been huge sources of inspiration for our team. Just being involved in a growing industry that continues to flourish—even during the pandemic—continues to instill confidence that we are making the right moves.
What are your plans for 2021?
Having identified the level of demand for Mellow, we intend to optimize our process in 2021 to get our products to as many people in as many places as possible while operating within the confines of the law.
Any new products coming?
We are very excited to launch many new flavors and collaborative products this year, including nondairy options, various size options, and other frozen and nonfrozen treats made with natural ingredients.
What is your ultimate goal with Mellow?
To impact as many lives as possible as a household name in the medical and recreational spaces. Knowing that our friends and family can go to their local store and purchase our product without the stigma associated with cannabis use. Additionally, creating a brand that is a trusted on-ramp for customers who otherwise might not have been open to discovering the value of CBD or THC in their lives.
What have you learned along the way?
From an entrepreneurial perspective, Mellow has taught us so much. From the industry and legal challenges alone, this business has stretched us all to become more effective entrepreneurs. Not only have we grown professionally but we have been afforded the opportunity to work closely with friends on a vision we each truly believe in.
