An angled view of a retail counter wrapped in colourful tiles, with a quartz countertop, orb pendant lights, and a tall clear vase full of sunflowers.

What began as a text from Kate Williams, founder of Kate’s Ice Cream, about a potential second shop location officially turned into Kate’s #2 in the summer of 2024. Casework collaborated closely with Kate to develop her second location—a nod to the original location on N. Mississippi. While the concept stayed true—vibrant, plant-based, and optimistic, the palette is decidedly more vibrant.

The owner of an ice cream shop stands smiling behind the corner of the main counter, with an ice cream cone in her hand and the menu behind her on the wall.

A walkway leads to an arched open doorway accented with artistic wall paint, with a refrigerated case above a retailed counter covered in tile.

Keywords

optimistic

vibrant

plant-based

Two round mirrors mounted on a wall with colorful abstract paint designs next to an arched doorway with matching paint reflected in the mirrors.

Four ice cream cones with various flavors sit on a display counter next to a scalloped wooden pony door with a wooden dessert menu on the wall behind it.

A woman stands with one hand on her hip, smiling and holding an ice cream cone in the other hand, with shining mirrors on the wall behind her.

Kate’s vision for the shop has always been to make ice cream for everyone by creating inclusive spaces for those with dietary restrictions and allergens by providing the classic ice cream shop experience. Inspired by ice cream parlors of the past, Kate’s tiled order counter became the iconic backdrop of each location. For her NW 23rd location, we selected cream, butter yellow, and mango tiles stacked in an ombre pattern from Portland-based Clayhaus for the order counter paired with glossy peach cobbler colored floors. The palette for NW 23rd is reminiscent of ice cream ingredients and the energetic atmosphere of the shop.

A wide angled view from the corner of an ice cream shop counter with bright square tiles and several globe-shaped pendant ceiling lights.

White oak furniture and a scalloped counter door designed by Casework and built by Jamison Sellers of Bolster Furniture create an inviting place for dining and congregating. The custom ice cream-shaped line queue adds a playful dividing line for ordering ice cream.