After multiple delays from COVID-19, the ice cream shop Sea Maids Creamery opened its doors in Seminole Heights in early May. The mother-daughter owners, Zoe Vera and Emily Macias, refer to themselves as sea maidens, an homage to their Puerto Rican roots. They wanted to honor the island nation in their shop’s name. “It’s been super crazy. We delayed and delayed, and finally we decided we could help bring a little light to the dark going on in the world, while still taking precautions,” Macias says.
Owners Vera and Macias use flavors close to their hearts in their house-made, small-batch, specialty ice creams. One, “Abuelita’s Cafecito Con Leche,” uses coffee from the hometown of Macias’ great-grandmother. Along with unique varieties, Sea Maids Creamery also offers classic flavors that can be paired with fresh-baked goods from Sweet Desires, the bakery tucked inside the ice cream shop. Aileen Negron, the owner of Sweet Desires, is a self-taught baker who provides specialty sweets daily, including custom cakes for special events. To make sure no family member is left out, Sea Maids Creamery has a doggy window serving “pup cream.” “Our location is in the heart of a huge neighborhood, so we meet tons of families and doggies,” Macias says. “We want to be that safe haven for everyone that walks through our doors.”
WHAT TO KNOW
Sea Maids Creamery | 4230 N. Florida Ave.
(813) 766-1800 | Wed–Sat 2:30 to 9 p.m., Sun 1 to 7 p.m
