Ice cream chain to open first KC area spot. Here’s how it aims to make a difference
A national ice cream chain is opening its first Kansas City area location.
Texas-based Howdy Homemade Ice Cream plans a spot in Lee’s Summit at 921 NE Woods Chapel Road, in the Chapel Ridge Shopping Center.
The chain, which has seven shops across the country, employs individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities. Its other locations are in Texas, Louisiana, North Carolina, Colorado and Indiana.
Howdy is partnering with TNC Community — Kansas City area nonprofit supporting individuals with disabilities — to open the shop. It plans to open in March.
Kelly McGillis, CEO of TNC Community, said there are abysmally few employment opportunities for those with disabilities transitioning out of high school. In order to remedy that, her nonprofit and Howdy Homemade entered into a franchise agreement to open a local store — with more to come.
“This has kinda been my dream project all along,” McGillis said. “Our goal is to really create a model that we can duplicate within the Kansas City metro.”
Howdy will employ several students from the Miller Park education center. TNC held a parent meeting several months ago, where more than 50 parents showed up.
McGillis said there’s more than enough interest from potential employees.
“We’re not even going to have to advertise,” she said. “We already have a waitlist.”
Ice cream flavors include Cookie Nom’ster, Chocolate As All Get Out and Strawberry Milkshake.
Howdy was founded in 2015 by Tom Landis. His mother’s battle with polio gave him an empathy for those with physical challenges.
“It just gives me a lot of joy and happiness to help people achieve their life goals, to really be happy,” McGillis said.
On the Kansas side, ice cream shop The Golden Scoop also employs those with physical and intellectual disabilities. Its locations are at 9540 Nall Ave. and 10460 W. 103rd St. in Overland Park.