Inside Scoop: Walrus Ice Cream — Best in Fort Collins
Walrus Ice Cream, famously known as the “Best Ice Cream in Fort Collins” for the past eleven years in a row now, has a tasty story. Lisa Pugh, Co-Owner and Sole Operator, gave us the inside scoop via an email interview.
Hello!
On the Walrus website, it says the store was founded in 1987. Tell us the story!
Walrus was founded by Steve Orner in Dec. 1987. It was first located above Nico’s Catacombs, which is now Sonny Lubick Steakhouse.
Where is the shop currently located?
Walrus is currently located at 125 W mountain. We own the building that it resides in, so [Walrus] will always have a place to call home. :)
The building is haunted by a spirit named Charlie. He owned a cafe [at this location] and you can feel his energy when we get busy. He was known for his parties in the basement and loves the energy that he get from crowds (happy crowds). He is a good spirit, and we have an awesome business!
The name “Walrus” is unique for an ice cream shop. Who thought of it?
The name comes from the original owner, but we like to tell people the Beatles wrote “I am the Walrus” in our store.
What else is unique about Walrus and its ice cream?
We are locally owned, homemade and gluten free. This gives us the opportunity to do so many creative things. We can use local products such as beer, Palisade peaches, and home grown rhubarb. We can make whatever we want. We make cakes and any special orders with in 48 hours.
Walrus seems to be a big part of Fort Collins culture. That’s probably due to Walrus’s large community involvement. Can you tell us more about this?
We love Fort Collins and always want to do whatever we can to support the community (Seriously, could we live in a better place?). We donate coupons for free cones to any local fundraiser.
What is the best-selling flavor at Walrus?
We have 20 ice cream flavor choices everyday, along with four yogurts, two sherbets and two sorbets. Everyone has a favorite, and everyone likes ice cream. Caramel Sea Salt is probably our top seller currently, but Mint Chip and Candy shop sell fantastically also.
What is your personal favorite flavor?
My favorite is Chocolate Orange …Yum!
What specialty products do you provide?
We make cakes, chocolate covered bananas, made to order ice cream sandwiches, and we hand dip all of our chocolate and white chocolate covered cones.
Walrus is people and pet friendly!? Can you speak more about this? What is the doggie scoop made out of?
Doggie Scoop Sunday (which is really everyday) is a free scoop of vanilla. Dogs love ice cream, too.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I love my job, my community and my employees. I think I am the luckiest person in the world.
