Town’s Favorite Ice Cream Shop Saved by the Sun

By: Jada Jones

    Many Puebloans know that both Nick’s Dairy Creme, located on E 8th Street, and Solar Roast Coffee are local gems. Many have grown up, spending their summer eating a delicious Arctic Swirl while spending time at the skate park right next door. The same people who, since 2008, have spent their mornings drinking coffee from the world’s first and only commercial solar powered coffee roaster. 
    Nick’s Dairy Creme began operating in 1960. Up until 2019, the summer treat shop operated successfully with a review rating of 4.4 stars. A Google review from Laura De Falco states, “Greatest ice cream in southern colorado! A must try! Easy off on I- 25 13th and sante fe exit, up east 8th street, kids will love the ice cream and skate park behind it! Great day for the kids”. Unfortunately, after COVID-19 began, many businesses, including Nick’s Dairy Creme , struggled to remain or reopen. Many Puebloans were devastated to hear that the beloved ice cream shop would not reopen. 
    Mike Harktop, co-owner of Solar Roast Coffee, understood the struggle of running a business during COVID-19. Wanting to keep the many childhood memories of the locals alive, Harktop decided to buy Nick’s Dairy Cream and reopen it.     
    Harktop and his business partner/brother, David Harktop, have not only given Pueblo the gift of keeping childhood memories alive, and an amazing coffee shop, but have recently expanded their coffee shop locations to Colorado Springs and an additional coffee shop to Pueblo’s south side. Right next to their original coffee shop, you can now also find Analogue, a new book/record store owned by Solar Roast. 
    Since moving to Pueblo, the Harktop brothers have brought nothing but joy to Pueblo, and with no doubt, will continue to put smiles on the faces of the town. 
    “And to think this all started with a satellite dish, plastic mirrors and a broccoli strainer”, concludes the Solar Roast website, About Us page.