Pink Coyote Dessert Co., a popular artisan ice cream and baked goods shop in Destin, is expanding its operations to Fort Walton Beach with a new 3,500-square-foot location at 30 Walter Martin Rd NE.

• The expansion comes just two years after Pink Coyote’s initial launch in 2022, driven by growing demand for their handcrafted desserts. Co-founder Tarra Wixom Destin, the mastermind behind the company’s creations, says the move was necessary to keep up with customer appetite.

“We’ve seen a lot of growth since we opened. There’s demand for the ice cream — and I can’t keep up,” Wixom Destin said. “So, I needed to grow. The next logical step was to find a bigger kitchen, and more space to offer everybody all the ice cream that they wanted.”

The new location, formerly Armstrong’s printing shop, features an indoor seating area, a full commercial kitchen, and a large outdoor patio. Tarra and her husband, Parker, closed on the property in October and have been working to transform it into their vision.

• The renovation included adding restrooms, an order counter, and dividing the space to create a production area in the back. The couple also worked with the city of Fort Walton Beach on a CRA grant to develop an outdoor courtyard.

Unlike their seasonal Destin location next to Dewey Destin’s Seafood Restaurant on the Choctawhatchee Bay, the Fort Walton Beach shop will be open year-round. Starting Saturday, August 24, customers can visit from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays.

The expanded space will allow Pink Coyote to broaden its offerings beyond ice cream and baked goods. New menu items will include sundaes, shakes, malts, and coffee. Destin also plans to introduce beer and wine options, with cocktails potentially coming later.

• “We’re going to grow as the customer base grows,” Wixom Destin said. “But immediately walking in the door…You want a root beer float? Let’s do it. You want a malt? Let’s do it!”

A key focus for Pink Coyote has always been the quality and sourcing of their ingredients. Destin, a self-taught baker and chef, emphasizes the importance of using local, high-quality products in their desserts.

“For the ice cream, all of our milk comes from Florida farming families. It’s non-GMO, no growth hormones,” she explained. “So we start with really great milk. We use a really high milk fat content.”

This commitment to quality extends to their other ingredients as well. Destin makes most of the add-ins, such as jams, pastry chunks, and cookies, in-house. When possible, they source local produce, including Okaloosa County strawberries for their seasonal flavors.

• “We need to be in touch with our food ways and our food systems. It’s important to know who grows your food,” Wixom Destin said. “And also, it’s just higher quality. You can taste the difference in the strawberry that comes from Baker and compare it to something that you would get off the shelf at a box store.”

The new location will also help Pink Coyote expand its wholesale business. Once they complete their installation with the Florida Department of Agriculture, they plan to distribute pints to retailers who share their values and appreciation for artisanal desserts.

For customers with dietary restrictions, Pink Coyote offers several options. They take allergies seriously and train their staff to handle such concerns. Dairy-free choices include sorbets made from fruit, sugar, and water, as well as ice creams made with alternative milks like oat and soy.

• “We even have one of my favorite new menu items which is a sorbet float. It’s awesome,” Destin shared.

The reception to Pink Coyote’s expansion has been overwhelmingly positive, according to Wixom Destin. “Everybody I’ve met so far that has poked their heads in the door has been so supportive and kind,” she said.

While the new Fort Walton Beach location will be Pink Coyote’s primary focus, their original Destin location will continue to operate seasonally. The snowball stand will close in October and reopen in March, maintaining its traditional schedule.

• “Nothing’s going to change there. We’ll reopen in March through October,” Wixom Destin clarified. “So if you love it there, nothing’s changing. We’re just adding an additional option for everybody.”

As Pink Coyote Dessert Co. embarks on this new chapter, Wixom Destin remains committed to the artisanal approach that has made them successful. From their carefully sourced ingredients to their handcrafted recipes, the company continues to prioritize quality and connection to the local community.

“Being connected to place and people is important,” Wixom Destin said, summing up the philosophy that has guided Pink Coyote from its inception to this exciting expansion.

With its mix of traditional favorites and innovative new offerings, Pink Coyote’s Fort Walton Beach location is poised to become a sweet spot for locals and tourists alike. As they open their doors this weekend, they invite the community to come and experience their unique take on desserts, now in a bigger, year-round setting.