Minneapolis’ most coveted ice cream company will open a soft-serve shop

A to Z Creamery, the small-batch artisan ice cream company from Zach Vraa, is expanding from online-only pints to a soft-serve ice cream shop at 705 Mainstreet in downtown Hopkins. Target opening date is spring 2026.

For a company that began as an underground opportunity to buy premium ice cream made in batches so small that customers say getting a chance to buy one feels like a lottery win, a storefront with regular hours — and with small-batch baked goods — is a departure.

So, too, is the style of ice cream. Vraa began A to Z with a second-hand ice cream maker and soon built a dedicated following for his inventive flavors that could be anything from Oreo-studded to “basically pizza” flavored.

Soft serve is a new realm, one with both passionate fans and detractors for the lower milk fat necessary to achieve the right texture. But Vraa isn’t worried.

“Hard-pack ice cream is meant to be served straight out of the freezer,” said Vraa. “Soft serve has to still have that creamy, soft mouthfeel, but served at a warmer texture that holds its shape.” To achieve that requires an entirely different base.

“But, we have a very good soft serve recipe,” said Vraa. “I’m pretty confident we can nail it.”

A to Z’s machine will stock two flavors: one will always be vanilla, and the other a wild card that will rotate weekly and often be seasonal, with premium baked goods to go alongside. He gave the example of a banana bread-flavored soft serve, twisted with vanilla and served with a slice of housemade banana bread and drizzled with hot fudge.

Paperwork for the new storefront was just signed and build-out is going forward. “The change can happen pretty easily, and we have a really loyal customer base in Hopkins,” said Vraa.

Meanwhile, A to Z Creamery continues its usual mode of operation with flavor drops and fans vying for the opportunity to buy a pint for pickup in downtown Hopkins. Follow @AtoZCreamery on Instagram for construction updates on the new shop.

The Lake Elmo City Council approved proposals for two new eateries to open inside the city’s former fire station and parks building.

Tap & Ladder will take over the fire station with a casual spot featuring a self-pour beer wall and bar food. Also look for a dedicated children’s play area, full-view garage doors, a big patio and displays honoring the city’s fire service and veterans.

Headed to the parks building will be a new outpost of Machete Cocina Mexicana, the casual Woodbury eatery known for its giant folded “Quesadillota,” a 21-inch corn quesadilla stuffed with meat, cheese and other goodies.

Requests for comment were not immediately returned.

Olive & Lamb is now open (1510 Como Av. SE., Mpls.) near the University of Minnesota. The restaurant’s “Select” location serves variations on the original restaurant’s full-service menu, including gyros, build-your-own bowls, lamb shanks and more. There’s also gyro- and feta-loaded French fries that look ideal for the late-night studying crowd. Olive & Lamb Select is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Sushi Box is now open inside Eden Prairie’s Asia Mall (12160 Technology Dr.). Billing itself as Minnesota’s first sushi-by-weight restaurant, the new storefront is located on the second level of the complex and open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. Diners get to choose their desired rolls, sashimi, salads and more, then pay only for what they want.

Fans who love the deep crust loaded with cheese, sauce and toppings from Giordano’s will soon be able to get their deep-dish pizza fix at the Mall of America. The Chicago-based chain announced plans to open inside Bloomington’s biggest retail draw in the spring 2026, on the third level of the mall’s south side. The new location will be the company’s second in Minnesota — the other one is in Richfield (3000 W. 66th St.).

After a brief closure for a revamp, North Loop’s decade-old Red Cow restaurant (208 N. 1st Av.) is back. Out are the cow prints and in are luxe room appointments from the design team at MartinPatrick3. When we spoke with Red Cow’s owner Luke Shimp about his plans to revamp the restaurant’s room, he said, “As a company, we’re always looking to evolve and innovate.”

The room also sports a gorgeous wine feature wall, with an impressive selection of the by-the-glass offerings.

Red Cow North Loop is open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner, with brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Soberfish (2627 E. Franklin Av., Mpls.) announced that its final day of service is Nov. 14. In a Facebook post, the 11-year-old restaurant wrote: “We are deeply grateful for your support, laughter, and kindness over the years — it’s been an unforgettable journey thanks to all of you." Fans can expect the sushi/Thai eatery to keep the usual hours of lunch through dinner as they wind down.