With summer in full swing, even SoCal’s beach communities are looking for a way to beat the heat. Newly opened Craigers is an ice cream shop that also serves up superb sorbets and fabulous fudges that will provide the perfect sweet for every taste. Read on to find out more about this new spot, opened just in time to provide an antidote to summer’s hottest days.
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For the Love of Fudge
Co-owners Brenda Bloom and Craig Miller have deep roots in the world of sweets. Steeped in both family tradition, and a history of working behind the counter in the ice cream biz, the two turned their passion for making people happy with great food into a business. In 2012 they launched Craigers, LLC, and brought the finest fresh fudge and ice cream to the South Bay via online sales and farmers markets.
From Stall to Storefront
As their business grew, and they refined their skills (even graduating from Ice Cream University in New Jersey; a grad school possibility you may not want to mention to your tots), they decided to open up a storefront. With a strong farmers market following and an established online presence in the fudge game, Craig and Brenda delighted Redondo Beach residents with a new shop that opened in July in the King Harbor Plaza.
Small but Mighty
The store is pint sized (get it?), but packed with only the best in frozen goodness. A friendly face greets you, and lets you sample some of their premium ice cream, sorbet and fudge flavors. All of Craigers’ ice creams begin with an organic dairy mix, and fresh batches are made throughout the day. From the brownies in the Vanilla & Brownies ice cream, to the chocolate chip cookies that make up their ice cream sandwiches, everything is crafted in store.
No dairy in your diet? No problem! Craiger’s offers seven silky smooth sorbet flavors that are not only completely dairy free, but also vegan. And because keeping it local is uber important to them, Craig and Brenda source ingredients from local farms, even shopping the farmers markets they sell at when the fruit is in season.
Un-Fudging-Believable
You might be tempted to stop at the ice cream, but you won’t want to miss their fantastic fudge collection. Fudge is where it all started for Craig and Brenda, so it’s no surprise that they’ve perfected the recipes in flavors like Cookies & Cream, Butterfinger, and good ol’ fashioned Chocolate. Definitely sample a few before you make your choice, as the fudge sold in one to six piece hunks.
The Scoop
Ice cream and sorbet are sold by weight (0.75/ounce), and fudge is sold by the square. Seating is limited, so consider getting it to go and enjoying it during a walk along the beach or on the Redondo Beach Pier. If you need a little pick-me-up to deal with your young ice cream aficionado’s imminent sugar rush, Craig himself doubles as a barista and whip you up something to drink at the small espresso bar. When they’re not working in the shop, you’ll find the duo dishing up desserts at the Torrance Certified Farmers Market (Tueday & Saturday), Redondo Beach Farmers Market (Thursday), and Palos Verdes Farmers Market (Sunday). The new storefront is open Tue.-Sun. from noon-9p.m.
Craigers
625 B North Pacific Coast Highway
Redondo Beach
424-398-0053
Online: craigersfudge.com
Have you been to Craigers yet? Let us know what flavor is not to be missed in the comments below!
—written and photographed by Kellie Fell
