Sweet Swirls Celebrates Small Business Saturday with ‘Stuff Your Stanley’ Event

Small Business Saturday is right around the corner and this year Sweet Swirls Rolled Ice Cream is inviting you to support local and indulge in a sweet treat with “Stuff Your Stanley.” Whether you’re an ice cream aficionado, a dessert lover or someone who simply wants to support local businesses, this event is a perfect way to kick off the spirit of the holiday season.

So, what is Stuff Your Stanley? You might be familiar with the iconic, insulated tumblers that take up all that extra space in your kitchen cabinets. You might also know how well they keep your favorite beverages hot or cold; but have you ever considered filling it up with your favorite frozen treat? Sweet Swirls is here to do just that!

On Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 bring your favorite 30 oz. or 40 oz. tumbler (any brand works) to Sweet Swirls and we will fill it with four generous scoops of our handcrafted ice cream for $10! From seasonal specials to our all-time fan favorites, you’ll have plenty of delicious flavors to choose from. Our only requirement is that your tumbler is rinsed out and clean when you bring it in!

Event Details

Date: Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024
Time: Noon – 10 p.m.
Cost: $10 per Stanley / Tumbler, includes four scoops of your choosing

Sweet Swirls Rolled Ice Cream started in our mobile trailer in the summer of 2017. We saw the latest ice cream trend popping up all over social media but couldn’t find any locally, so we started our own shop! After spending the summer on-the-go in our trailer, we knew we wanted to find a more permanent spot to call home. Located on the corner of SW School Street and SW 3rd street, we found just that in the heart of Uptown Ankeny!

If you’ve visited our shop in Uptown Ankeny, you know our specialty is super premium, made-from-scratch rolled ice cream. The best part of rolled ice cream is that it’s completely customizable. From the flavor of ice cream base to the 25+ mixins we offer, to the sauce and toppings, we can create whatever you are craving!

As we grew and evolved, we discovered that it was hard to roll our ice cream quickly enough to keep up with demand, especially on our trailer, so we experimented with the concept of hand packing the same delicious ice cream we roll. Turns out, it’s just as delicious! That’s where our small-batch, handcrafted scoops were born.

We make our scooped ice cream by pouring our base directly on -21-degree cold plates — the same way we make our rolls — but instead of rolling it out, we handpack it in tubs. This means not as much air is incorporated into the base so it stays extra rich and creamy. Next time you pick up a pint of ours, you’ll notice how heavy it is compared to a pint you’d grab at the grocery store.

Since the beginning, our main focus in our shop has been rolled ice cream, but we’ve been scooping on our mobile trailer for the past few years. After numerous compliments and raving reviews, we decided to bring our handcrafted scoops to the shop as well! We couldn’t think of a more exciting way to do that than with a Stuff Your Stanley event. This will be the perfect opportunity to try out multiple flavors and maybe find your new go-to ice cream!

Celebrating Uptown Ankeny Small Businesses

At Sweet Swirls, we wanted to host an event that also celebrated our amazing community that is Uptown Ankeny. Small Business Saturday is more than just a shopping day — it’s a day to celebrate the small businesses you love and support the local entrepreneurs who are the heart of our communities.

We feel very lucky to be a part of the Uptown Ankeny community and surrounded by such a wide variety of small, locally owned businesses. When you come visit us this Small Business Saturday, our hope is you will also visit all our amazing neighbors! Below you’ll find just a few of our favorite Uptown shops and what they are planning for Small Business Saturday.

Dozens of Uptown shops will be open and have specials for Small Business Saturday. Start your morning with your favorite coffee at Porchlight Coffeehouse and head next door to The Funky Zebras Boutique, XOXO Home and Gift and Gladdies Bake Shop for treats, activities for the kids and a special giveaway!

From there, be sure to stop into Uptown Confections & Curiosities and sample some of their assorted chocolates while you purchase all your holiday goodies! Across the street, Carmen’s Flowers Uptown will be open from 8:30 – Noon with specials on all their Christmas décor.

Once you make your way over to SW Maple, you’ll find beef stick samples and holiday gift bundles at West Forty Market, storewide savings and grab and go gifts at Real Deals and the sweetest baby gifts and children's clothing at Paisley Pineapple Children’s Boutique! Enjoy a glass of wine at Blue Thistle’s holiday open house and pick out the perfect gift for the plant lover in your life.

Next door to us, The Boho Vase will be open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and is hosting a Charm Bar with Strawberry Lane. Fuzed Permanent Jewelry is also open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. with doorbuster deals, new permanent jewelry chain releases and the first 25 customers in the door will receive a free gift!

Uptown Garage Brewing Co. is offering half-price flights from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. for ages 21 and over. Uptown is also home to many wonderful restaurants for when you need to refuel. Grab a slice at Leaning Tower of Pizza, enjoy the best tacos at Yankee Clipper or take a break with a quick bite and drink at Trailside Tap. No matter what you’re looking for, Uptown is sure to have it! Just be sure to save room for dessert at Sweet Swirls!

Small Business Saturday is a day to celebrate your favorite local businesses. Stuff Your Stanley is a fun way for Sweet Swirls to give back to loyal customers and welcome new faces to the shop. It’s also an opportunity to embrace the winter season with a cold, creamy indulgence.

By participating in events like Small Business Saturday, you’re not only treating yourself to a more personal experience but also helping local businesses thrive. Every purchase keeps the spirit of local businesses alive, creating a ripple effect that supports jobs and fosters community.

We’re so grateful for the support of our customers and the chance to share our love of ice cream with you. During this Small Business Saturday, let’s celebrate community, creativity and, of course, delicious ice cream.

Mark your calendar, grab your Stanley and join us for an unforgettable day at Sweet Swirls. We can’t wait to see how you stuff your Stanley!

Want more information? Check out Sweet Swirls on Facebook and Instagram for the most up-to-date happenings for events and promotions.

The Greater Des Moines Partnership calendar of events is a one-stop resource for activities taking place throughout the region. Find networking information for Greater Des Moines (DSM) businesses, including Chamber luncheons, roundtables and ribbon cuttings. You can also find live music happening each week thanks to the “Live Music This Week in DSM” blog series.

The holiday season is the perfect time to shop local in Greater Des Moines (DSM). Support local businesses, creators and makers across the region. You can find ideas on where to shop using the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s #DSMlocal Guides and other regional business directories listed here. Don’t miss the Holiday Promenade each year, when you can skate at Brenton Skating Plaza, shop local businesses, see Santa and attend a downtown tree lighting!