Amy's Ice Cream ready to expand

AUSTIN (KXAN) - At a time when many businesses are cutting back or closing, one of Austin’s favorites is going to expand.

Amy’s Ice Cream will add to their dozen stores with two new parlors, one on the northside along Highway 183 and the other on South Lamar Boulevard.

Amy’s credits their friendly wait staff and painstaking attention to detail for their success. Every batch is immediately flash frozen to keep the product creamy and free of ice chips. Only deluxe ingredients will do, such as importing Belgian chocolate instead of using cocoa powder.

Founder Amy Simmons opened her first store in 1984, and she laughing recalls she did it by writing a hot check.

"The landlord knew all about it, he was very supportive of local business," said Simmons.

She said her business philosophy is simple.

"It’s just about the joy ice cream brings to everybody," said Simmons. "It’s something people gather around and we work really hard with our employees on capitalizing on that, making peoples’ day.”

Over the years, Amy’s has produced 360 flavors.

"Our number one taster has tasted all 360," said Steve Simmons, co-owner. "Heck, even I haven’t tried all 360.”

Amy’s tries to combo up with other local businesses to create what the Simmons’ call homegrown synergy. They hope to have the new stores open by the end of 2009.