Get ready to indulge in a blast from the past with the grand opening of Dang Soft Serve, the latest addition to the Little Man Ice Cream family. This vibrant new ice cream shop, which opened its doors on September 20th, brings the electric energy of the 1980s to the Park Hill neighborhood within the Oneida Park Center. Joining the ranks as the fourth location under the Little Man Ice Cream umbrella in just one year, DANG Soft Serve is poised to become Denver’s go-to spot for unique and delicious frozen treats. Following the success of sister locations like Sweet Cooie’s in Congress Park, Old Town Churn Ice in Fort Collins, The Constellation Ice Cream in Stapleton, and the Little Man Ice Cream Factory in Sloan’s Lake, DANG Soft Serve is set to continue the legacy of quality and creativity that Little Man Ice Cream is known for – even before the anticipated Little Man outpost in DIA arrives.
The concept for DANG Soft Serve was born from a desire within the Little Man team, led by owner Paul Tamburello, to expand their offerings and innovate in the dessert space. The spark of genius came from Melissa Pulsinelli, a Little Man staff member, who suggested the unexpectedly perfect pairing of french fries and ice cream. This sweet and salty combination became the foundation for DANG Soft Serve’s distinctive menu and playful brand identity.
The 1,500 square-foot space is a visual feast, thanks to the design expertise of Melissa Friday and Dana Ensing of Xan Creative. Inspired directly by the shop’s name, “DANG,” and in collaboration with graphic designer Ben Geise, the designers channeled the high-energy aesthetic of 1980s pop culture. Dana Ensing explained their approach: “Once we landed on ‘DANG’ we knew we had to bring high energy to this design. … We pulled inspiration from the electric patterns and colors of ’80s pop culture. Having a small box of a building to work with, we decided to treat it more as an object than an environment. This led to big plays with patterns on every surface.”
The result is a building that truly pops, adorned with bold swathes of blue, purple, and pink, and hypnotic patterns that draw you in. Customers are invited to indulge in swirled cones topped with brightly colored sprinkles, and even relax in a whimsical hand chair within the shop or enjoy the Oneida Park courtyard seating just outside.
Claire Fields, the talented head chef behind Little Man’s beloved ice cream flavors, has curated a menu of eight delightful soft serve flavors for DANG. These can be enjoyed individually or swirled together for a customized treat. The flavor lineup includes enticing options such as Iced Matcha, Lilikoi, Caramel Corn, Mexican Chocolate, Black Raspberry, and ‘Nilla Eclipse. Catering to diverse dietary preferences, DANG Soft Serve also offers vegan options with Orange Dreamsicle and Chocolate Ganache flavors, ensuring everyone can partake in the frozen fun.
Beyond soft serve cones, the menu features decadent sundaes, and the must-try DANG Fries for just $5, served with a signature DANG Dip sauce. For the ultimate indulgence, The Bomb Cyclone is a DANG specialty that allows customers to personalize their dessert by choosing an ice cream flavor and mixing in unlimited toppings from a selection of 30 options. The name itself is a playful nod to a memorable Denver storm, adding a local touch.
To celebrate its arrival, DANG Soft Serve hosted an ’80s themed grand opening party on Friday evening. The event kicked off at 7 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by an ’80s themed silent disco until 11 p.m. Sound Down DJs spun classic 80s hits through silent disco headphones, creating a unique and immersive experience. Adding to the excitement, attendees dressed in 80s attire were entered into a drawing for tickets to the brand new Mission Ballroom, further solidifying the 80s theme and community engagement.
Staying true to the Little Man Ice Cream ethos, DANG Soft Serve participates in the Scoop for Scoop program, committing to giving back to the local community. DANG Soft Serve will donate a portion of each sale to support young artists and musicians in the Park Hill neighborhood, demonstrating its commitment to fostering local talent and enriching the community.
Paul Tamburello expressed his enthusiasm for the new venture, stating, “We are so excited to be a part of Todd Snyder and Rick Firmine’s reinvention of Oneida Park. Their vision and partnership, alongside our amazing tenant partners, promises to be a special community gathering place in Park Hill.”
DANG Soft Serve Ice Cream is located at 2211 Oneida St., Denver, and is open Sunday-Thursday from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.; and Friday-Saturday from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Don’t miss the chance to experience the totally rad flavors and atmosphere of DANG Soft Serve!
Photography by Amanda Piela.
