Etched wood menus sit on the wall above a retail bar with a frozen product case and granite countertops, wrapped in ombre patterned square tile.

At the height of the pandemic, Casework’s founder Casey Keasler and Kate’s founder Katelyn Williams were the only two coming into the Casework studio. Kate’s Ice Cream kitchen was across the courtyard and she needed a desk and a quiet place to work. Quickly they developed a socially distanced friendship. When Katelyn started seeking permanent retail space for her growing plant-based, gluten-free ice cream business, Casey tagged along, offering design insights and observations. Once Katelyn selected Kate’s permanent home—a storefront on N. Mississippi Avenue—Casework was called on to design the inviting, pastel-colored oasis. Originally home to Ruby Jewel Ice Cream, the shop already included a full kitchen and ample room for their vision.

An angled view of a retail counter with a microwave, canisters holding ice cream cones and toppings, a vase of sunflowers, globe pendant lights.

Keywords

optimistic

vibrant

plant-based

Initial designs started in the Summer 2021, a time when the world needed an extra dose of optimism and joy, and that’s exactly what Casework brought. Washed in soft, candy-colored hues, guests enter the ice cream shop to a bright ombre counter. Tiled with layers of peachy pinks and sorbet-inspired selections from Fireclay Tile, the curved bar is a contemporary spin on traditional ice cream parlor dipping cabinets. The custom counter was designed by Casework and installed by Katelyn and her mom, who flew from Louisiana to Portland to help with the project.

A rounded oblong table made of light wood is surrounded by matching wood stools with two circular mirrors on the wall in the background.

A fridge full of neatly arranged colorful pints of ice cream is wrapped in wood casing next to a retail counter wrapped in colorful tile.

The shop also includes work from local designers and artists to complement the local ingredients in Kate’s signature concoctions. Along the back wall, a pastel mural by Lynzee Lynx, a local artist, and friend of Kaitlyn’s, brings vibrancy and dimension to the minimalist space. White oak furniture, custom designed by Casework and Jamison Sellers of local furniture brand Bolster Furniture, also offers an inviting place for dining and congregating.

A partition fence of coated metal and light wood delineates the dining area of an ice cream shop with round wood bistro tables and matching chairs.

A bespoke wood stable door with a scalloped top edge sits next to the end of the retail counter in a brightly colored vegan ice cream shop in Portland.

What started as a socially distanced friendship-turned-design partnership resulted in a contemporary watering hole for Portland’s vegan dessert lovers. Kate’s Ice Cream is a community effort for locals to enjoy.