Johnson County ice cream shop that just won ‘flavor of the year’ will expand in KC
It’s been a successful first four years for Fairway Creamery.
Stephanie and Ali Shirazi and their daughter, Bella Shirazi, have garnered a faithful following at their 5938 Mission Road shop in Fairway. Their Persian Rose Pistachio ice cream just won Flavor of the Year for the Midwest region of the North American Ice Cream Association.
The cherry on top? Soon they’ll open Fairway Creamery’s second location in their old neighborhood, Kansas City’s Westside.
The new store is between Blue Bird Bistro and Goat Hill Coffee & Soda at 809 W. 17th St. The Shirazis hope to open in late February or early spring.
Bella was born and raised on the Westside. Her parents’ old restaurant, Shiraz, was open for 14 years at 320 Southwest Blvd. before it closed in 2008. Many of the neighbors and business owners are friends and old customers of the family.
While there are several restaurants and shops in the neighborhood, its dessert options are slim.
“Ever since I could remember, I’ve always said, ‘We need something sweet over here,’” Bella said. “The opportunity presented itself, so we couldn’t miss out on it.”
The Shirazis recently did a pop-up in the area to tease their opening and introduce neighbors to their ice cream. Bella said many remembered her and her parents.
“Everyone kept saying, ‘Welcome back,’” Bella said. “Everybody was super excited about that, and I think they can’t wait for us to be there permanently.”
The new shop will sell scoops, shakes, sundaes and pints of ice cream. While the Fairway spot also sells coffee and doughnuts, Bella said they’re focusing on ice cream for the Westside location.
Fairway sells a variety of seasonal and rotating flavors. Bella said about half of their ice cream flavors are seasonal and change almost every day.
A few of their constants: chocolate, peanut butter, caramel, coffee. The new spot will be smaller than Fairway’s Johnson County store, offering eight flavors instead of 16.
“We make everything in-house, premium, handmade everyday, so it’s gonna be a little smaller,” Bella said.
Though the family is well acquainted with many residents in the area, Bella said they’re looking forward to getting to know even more patrons. But they aren’t looking to expand too rapidly, either.
“We just wanna have our quality in every scoop and just be in a small neighborhood, like we are in Fairway,” Bella said. “It just feels like home.”