A new ice cream parlour has opened for business.

Owner LaKeila Greaves cut the ribbon to open the new store, called Sprinkles, at Washington Mall. She was joined by Bermuda Government senator Vic Ball and Bermuda Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) chairman Nick Kempe.

Ms Greaves, whose mother ran the former Double Dip on Front Street, said she had always liked making ice cream after she had finished her daytime job as a teacher.

Now her solo venture offers a range of a dozen flavours at any time with changes weekly, as well as baked goods and the chance for customers to make up their own ice cream flavours.

She added: “So many people came to us and suggested flavours — we couldn’t do that at the time, but I can do that now.

“I love to bake and I’m always trying new combos and cup cakes and things. That’s what motivated me.

“Right now, we’ll be getting egg nog flavour and peppermint flavour, which we hope to have for Christmas.”

And she added she was working on a special Bermuda flavour, with colours to reflect the Island.

“I’m working on it. I have my colours, but the flavour I really want that screams Bermuda I don’t have yet. Hopefully, that will be ready for Bermuda Day on May 24.”

She added: “Business has been pretty good. Once they’ve found out we’re here, people have been coming in and coming back.

“We’ve seen a lot of growth and we’re finding out what people like.”

The store has two full-time staff, with one part-timer from CedarBridge Academy, who is also taking culinary arts at Bermuda College and who adds her own touches to the store’s cup cakes.

Ms Greaves said she had noticed Bermuda ice cream lovers like the colour green and they also like chocolate ripple.

“So we created salted caramel ripple and we also have a raspberry ripple flavour.”

She said Sprinkles aimed to have a dozen flavours at any one time, with regular changes.

Sen Ball said: “Ms Greaves was raised in an entrepreneurial environment, something that was of great benefit in turning her vision for Sprinkles into a reality.”

Sen Ball said that Ms Greaves planned to start a student apprentice programme from early next year.

And he added: “BEDC’s products and services have assisted Ms Greaves in bringing Sprinkles to reality with the use of the BEDC micro loan — a 100 per cent secured financial product offering up to $7500 in bank financing.

“BEDC remains vigilant in its mandate to support business owners through training and market knowledge, as well as with educational seminars and networking opportunities.”