Sweet Melody Ice Cream photo
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Just three months after New Times broke the news that a beloved Miami-founded ice cream parlor would expand to Broward, the scoop shop has officially opened.
Sweet Melody Ice Cream has opened its third location, and first in Fort Lauderdale, bringing its popular small-batch flavors and music-inspired scoops to the Hive. The new shop continues the company’s steady growth as it approaches its ten-year anniversary and adds to the growing foodie scene in Flagler Village.
The opening comes as South Florida’s dessert scene continues to expand beyond traditional ice cream counters, with more small-batch concepts leaning into storytelling, collaborations, and neighborhood identity. Flagler Village, in particular, has become a growing hub for these community-driven spots.
What to Expect at the Fort Lauderdale Shop
The Fort Lauderdale location introduces a few elements unique to the outpost, including an exclusive flavor called “The Hive,” a buttery vanilla ice cream with chocolate flakes and honeycomb candy. Throughout April, the shop will also collaborate with local businesses such as Heritage, Wells Coffee, Cookie Head, and LoveLee Bakeshop to offer limited-edition flavors available only at this location.
The new shop leans into a 1960s-inspired rec room aesthetic, complete with a music-forward identity that reflects the brand’s roots. Vinyl records spin throughout the day, reinforcing the concept’s connection to nostalgia and sound. The space is compact but designed to feel casual and inviting, fitting seamlessly into Flagler Village’s creative, walkable environment.
Sweet Melody Ice Cream photo
Small-Batch Ice Cream with Rotating Flavors
Sweet Melody’s menu centers on small-batch ice cream made with thoughtfully sourced ingredients, balancing staple flavors with rotating seasonal releases. Standouts include “Kooki Monster,” a cookies-and-cream variation loaded with housemade chocolate chip cookies, and “Abuela’s Flan,” inspired by a traditional caramel custard.
Seasonal offerings rotate regularly, with current spring flavors like “Banana Pudding” and “Tres Leches” adding a nostalgic, dessert-driven twist. Vegan-friendly options, including “Midnight Chocolate Truffle” and “Strawberry Banana Sorbet,” are also part of the lineup.
Sweet Melody Ice Cream photo
From Kendall Ventanita to Regional Growth
The ice cream shop was created by founder Mike Romeu, who launched Sweet Melody as a passion project inspired by his daughter and his love of music. After losing his job in 2015, he began experimenting in his apartment with a $50 ice cream maker, eventually turning the idea into a business in 2016.
The brand first gained traction with a Kendall ventanita in 2019. Then, it expanded to the Citadel in 2024.
Now approaching its ten-year anniversary, Sweet Melody is entering a new phase of growth, with multiple additional locations planned for 2026, including a flagship on Flagler Street in Miami.
Sweet Melody Ice Cream. 908 N. Flagler Dr., Fort Lauderdale; 754-332-2372; sweetmelodyicecream.com. Now open, but grand opening is April 1.
