From Humble Beginnings to Regional Favorite (Image Credits: Pexels)
St. Louis – A beloved local ice cream maker has attracted significant outside capital after years of bootstrapping. Clementine’s Ice Cream announced a $6 million investment led by New York-based Next Phase Capital, marking its first major external funding round. The infusion aims to propel the brand beyond its regional roots toward a nationwide presence through franchising and expanded distribution.[1][2]
From Humble Beginnings to Regional Favorite
Tamara Keefe launched Clementine’s Ice Cream in 2014 after leaving a corporate marketing role. She invested her life savings to open the first shop, where long lines quickly formed for the handcrafted treats. Over the next decade, the company expanded without outside help, reinvesting profits to build a loyal following across the Midwest.[2]
The brand now operates 11 parlors in Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, and Kansas. Recent additions include a location on Walmart’s headquarters campus in Bentonville, Arkansas, which has seen strong early performance. Keefe defined regional growth as sites within a six- to eight-hour drive from St. Louis, a strategy that has sustained steady progress.[3]
Key Investment to Accelerate Franchising
Next Phase Capital, founded by Shelly Sun Berkowitz, spearheaded the $6 million round, with participation from investor Kristen Denzer of Tierra Encantada. This capital ends a nearly ten-year period of self-funding and positions Clementine’s for broader scalability. The funds will launch a franchising program in the second quarter of 2026.[1][2]…