The Great Winnipeg Sundae Search, served up by the Manitoba Museum, brought the CHVN crew to Cool Encounters on Gateway Road.
For 27 years, Cool Encounters has been serving ice cream to the community, becoming known for its unlimited flavours and customer-inspired creations.
Owner Bob Smith says one of the things that makes the shop unique is its willingness to experiment. When customers come in with a flavour combination they want to try, the team works to bring the idea to life.
Related Stories
After nearly three decades in business, Smith says one of the most rewarding parts has been watching generations of customers return. Some people who first visited the shop as children now come back with families of their own.
He also credits his staff for helping build the business. Some employees have been with Cool Encounters for more than a decade, with some even returning for shifts after starting careers in other fields, including dental hygiene.
Before opening Cool Encounters, Smith worked as an HVAC technician specializing in repairing ice cream and slushie machines. That experience inspired him to open the shop — so you never have to worry about the machines being out of order.
Menu favourites born from community connections
Assistant manager Leanne says some of the shop’s most memorable menu items have come directly from customers.
One example is The Barb Special, a vanilla soft-serve sundae topped with caramel sauce, peanuts, and Oreo pieces. The dessert was inspired by Smith’s neighbour Barb, who would make the treat during gatherings.
Another customer creation is The Big Jeff. Leanne says a regular customer named Jeff loved the Twister but wanted an even larger portion, leading the shop to create a bigger serving that eventually became a permanent menu item.
Leanne says she enjoys the community connection that comes with working at Cool Encounters, adding that while eating ice cream is a bonus, her favourite part is getting to interact with customers.
The Black Forest, made with vanilla soft serve, cherry pie filling, and chewy fudge brownie pieces.
Another popular choice is The Black Forest, made with vanilla soft serve, cherry pie filling, and chewy fudge brownie pieces.
One of the shop’s most popular flavours is pumpkin pie. While many ice cream shops only offer the flavour seasonally, Cool Encounters keeps it available year-round.
Cookie dough is another customer favourite. Smith says the shop goes through about 750 pounds of cookie dough each season, supplied by Sweet Impressions.
Beyond ice cream, Cool Encounters also offers a full slushie bar with a wide variety of flavours.
As the Great Winnipeg Sundae Search continues, Cool Encounters is showing why creativity, community, and a little (or a lot) of ice cream can go a long way.
Don’t forget, Kids receive free admission to the Manitoba Museum all summer long, while young adults aged 18 to 24 receive 50 per cent off admission. Spend the day exploring the museum’s galleries and Planetarium, then finish it off with a stop for your favourite ice cream.
Nominate your favourite ice cream spot in Winnipeg, voting starts this Friday to crown the best ice cream spot in Winnipeg