Baltimore natives David and Laura Alima turned more than a decade of dreaming and worldwide ice-cream research into The Charmery, a locally rooted shop built around happiness through ice cream. Its handcrafted flavors draw on Maryland agriculture and maker culture, while its Friday Flavor Drop gives the team room to experiment with ideas inspired by community collaborators. The Charmery also brings its scoop-centered celebrations to workplaces and gatherings across the Baltimore-Washington region.
Taharka BrothersFrom Baltimore, Taharka Brothers makes small-batch gourmet ice cream, pairing classic flavors with a rotating lineup shaped by local happenings and collaborations. The employee-owned company is built around a distinctive social mission: creating an impactful, profitable business managed and operated by young adults from some of Baltimore’s most troubled neighborhoods. Its roughly 60-flavor wholesale range includes specialty creations for restaurants across the Mid-Atlantic.BALTIMORE, MD
Mitchell's HomemadeFounded by brothers in 1999, Mitchell’s Homemade makes hand-crafted ice cream in small batches at its Ohio City Kitchen, where the production is visible from the shop. The Cleveland-area company builds its flavors around local dairy, seasonal ingredients and homemade components, while also making ice cream cakes and pies for celebrations. Its community role extends beyond the scoop counter through catering and support for fundraising events benefiting education, health and the arts.WESTLAKE, OH
Scottish Highland CreameryFounded in 2005 by Victor and Susan, Scottish Highland Creamery makes hand-crafted ice cream in Oxford, Maryland, blending Maryland milk and cream by hand one batch at a time. Victor brought recipes and experience from the Italian ice cream parlor where he grew up working in Edinburgh, and the Creamery still uses those time-honored recipes while creating more than 700 flavors. Its original “Window,” waterfront Mews shop, and event pushcart have made the family-run operation part of Eastern Shore celebrations and everyday treats.OXFORD, MD
Eric’s Ice Cream FactorySince 1999, Eric’s Ice Cream Factory has been making homemade, handcrafted ice cream in small three-gallon batches at its Northwest Ohio shops and mobile ice cream truck. The Defiance-based company has developed more than 170 rotating flavors, including its own dairy-free options and exclusive topping and flavor lines, giving its cases a distinctly local and inventive character.DEFIANCE, OH