Rocky Moo ice cream sandwich parlor headed to Spartanburg’s east side

Two entrepreneurs will bring a new ice cream concept to Spartanburg’s east side.

Dennis Wong and Tim Few have signed a lease on a 1,500-square-foot space formerly occupied by Roly Poly rolled sandwiches at the Converse Plaza shopping center at 1200 E. Main St., beside Bangkok Café.

They plan to open Rocky Moo, a handcrafted ice cream sandwich shop, later this year or during the early part of 2018.

“We can’t wait to get started,” said Wong, 36, owner of Rocky Moo, who moved with his family in March to Greer from Denver, Colo. “Spartanburg is booming. And we are very excited about being on the east side. We think this is a great area that is poised for future growth.”

Spartanburg-based Lawson Contracting and Construction has begun renovating the space, which includes a drive-thru and potentially some outdoor seating.

Wong and Few said William Gray with McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture, headquartered in downtown Spartanburg, has helped develop the store’s design.

The space will be clean and simple, featuring white walls, ceramic tiles, and wood accents produced by a local woodworker.

Wong, who will be the sole owner with Few serving as CFO, said Rocky Moo could create jobs for 10 to 15 people.

Few and Wong said they are still in the process of fine-tuning their hours and days of operation.

They said Rocky Moo’s menu will include 12 flavors of ice cream.

The ice cream sandwiches will be made with eight different homemade cookie varieties baked fresh every day in the store.

Customers will also be able to enjoy brownies, waffles, and maybe donuts. The store will also serve milkshakes, or “Mooshakes,” soda floats, hot chocolate floats, and ice cream by the scoop in cups or cones.

“We want to focus on quality and freshness,” Wong said. “This will be a family-friendly place where you can escape the daily grind and just have fun. We are passionate about treating our customers, employees, and the community well.”

The two men said they saw a lot of potential in the location due to its proximity to local colleges, businesses, the new Spartanburg High School, and plenty of neighborhoods.

Converse Plaza has experienced its share of ups and downs throughout the years.

During the past five years, the shopping center’s occupancy has been on the rise. It is home to several prominent businesses, including The Fresh Market, Gerhard’s Cafe, Broadway Bagels, Planet Fitness, and a soon-to-be-built Tuesday Morning store.

Wong, who was born in Laredo, Texas, and Few, originally of Spartanburg, became friends a few months ago.

Few, 23, recently earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and finance from the University of South Carolina Upstate.

Wong, a father of two who serves as a regional manager for Storm Team Construction, earned a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

The two men began discussing Wong’s vision for Rocky Moo and decided to make it a reality.

The store’s name is derived from Wong’s love for the Rocky Mountains, ice cream, and a desire to build something solid for his family’s future.

“We really want to get involved in the community, give back, and make a difference,” Wong said.

Stephen Harrill with Waterstone Retail, Converse Plaza’s owner, facilitated the lease agreement with Rocky Moo.