Big Anniversary for Big Spoon
Words by Christiana Roussel
Couples celebrating a ten-year anniversary are traditionally looking at gifts made of tin or aluminum or even daffodils, the color of happiness. But for Ryan and Geri-Martha O’Hara, they are thinking more along the lines of Coconut, Lime, Sea Salt, and Peaches – a few of the ingredients you’ll find in their bespoke ice cream flavors they craft at their three Alabama-based Big Spoon Creamery locations.
From starting their business in 2014 with a small investment and an ice cream cart that made regular appearances at farmers’ markets, pop-up events or private parties, the couple have grown their business to three brick-and-mortar locations. Geri-Martha has taken her 2007 degree from University of Alabama (Bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship) and a career in kitchens helmed by such culinary luminaries as Johnny Iuzzini, Dominique Ansel and James Beard-award winning Chefs Frank Stitt and Dolester Miles to develop artisanal handmade ice creams. Using high-end ingredients like Valrhona chocolate and locally-sourced produce (think Chilton County peaches, blueberries, basil and sweet corn) they craft craveable hand scooped concoctions.
These ten years have taught the couple so much: the growing pains of going from a single cart to locations in Birmingham, Homewood and Huntsville, to testing the sales of pints in grocery stores, they have a can-do attitude founded upon the entrepreneurial spirit of “what if”. In the past year, they have developed collaborations with area chefs (Frank Stitt, Rob McDaniel, Adam Evans, John Rolen and Brian Somershield) to create bespoke ice creams that complement the menus at the respective restaurants. The team even bake cakes and gluten-free graham crackers which become deconstructed ingredients in seasonal flavors like their “De Carlo” and “Beach Bonfire”.
This weekend, Ryan and Geri-Martha will celebrate their business milestone with an event at their first location in the Avondale neighborhood of Birmingham with a full summer menu and even bring back three of their original flavors from 2014. Face-painting and balloon art will be complemented by barbecue from restaurant neighbor Saw’s BBQ. Join the fun this Saturday, July 6th, noon to 10:00 pm. Pick up some limited merch and gift cards, enjoy a scoop (or two) and take home a pint and some handmade ice cream sammies to keep the summer fun rolling.
What: Big Spoon Creamery 10th Anniversary Celebration
When: Saturday, July 6 from 12 - 10 pm
Where: Big Spoon’s Avondale shop | 4000 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35222
Details: Celebrate Big Spoon Creamery’s 10th anniversary on Saturday, July 6 from 12 - 10 pm at their Avondale location. In addition to their full summer menu, Big Spoon Creamery will be offering three of its original flavors (circa 2014!) as well as giveaways featuring limited-edition anniversary merch and gift cards. Kids can enjoy face painting and balloon art from 2 - 5 pm, and SAW’s BBQ will be onsite serving complimentary barbecue from 6 - 8 pm.
Words from the Founders
"We count ourselves incredibly blessed to have had the rare opportunity to chase our dream for the past ten years. It is hard to put into words how grateful we are for every team member, guest, farmer, mentor, family member, friend, and so many more who have supported us and made this journey possible. We're having the time of our lives and excited for what the next ten years will hold." – Ryan O’Hara
“We are overwhelmed with gratitude as we reflect on the past ten years. We have the most incredible community here in Birmingham that genuinely rallies behind local small businesses like ours. That community support has allowed us to dream big and create products we’re really proud of and that we hope our guests love as much as we do. And a massive thank you to our team through the last ten years who have helped us build this special place we call Big Spoon Creamery.” – Geri-Martha O’Hara