Four decades of serving smiles, one scoop at a time
Soft Stuff Ice Cream of Ellicott City, MD was established in 1984. It has been family owned ever since.
The idea for the store was born on family vacations to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Strolling the boardwalk and stopping at every soft serve shop along the way, the family asked questions, compared recipes, and slowly shaped the vision for a new ice cream shop in Ellicott City.
The family already owned the Forest Motel on Route 40, which had been part of the community since 1967, and the spot felt like a perfect fit. The ice cream shop was built right in front of the motel, and Soft Stuff opened its doors in May of 1984.
It didn't take long for Soft Stuff to become the “go to” place for local families. From the moment winter faded away through the warm weather months and all the way into the fall, families came for a treat. The philosophy from day one was simple: quality ice cream, fair prices, and giving people more than they expect with generous portions.
After 29 years in the same location, Soft Stuff temporarily closed its doors in October of 2012 so the family could be part of the construction of a multi use residential and retail center on the property. Where once stood the original ice cream stand, the Forest Motel, the Forest Diner, and several private homes on Frederick Road, the new Forest Green Center now includes apartments, restaurants, specialty eateries, and personal service shops, along with a new, bigger, and better Soft Stuff Ice Cream.
Today, Soft Stuff Ice Cream has reopened with indoor and outdoor seating and a much larger menu. You'll find ten or more flavors of soft serve, eight or more flavors of handmade hand dipped ice cream from Miano's, snow balls, milkshakes, sundaes, fresh bubble waffles, ice cream nachos, cookies, and many other seasonal delights. What hasn't changed is the same quality and richness our customers have loved for the past 40 plus years.
As a family owned business, we understand the importance of tradition, quality, and treating every customer like family. Our personal touch makes all the difference.
We source only the finest ingredients for our ice cream, ensuring every scoop delivers the rich, creamy taste that has kept customers coming back for 40 years.
We're proud to be part of the Ellicott City and Millersville communities, supporting local events and creating a gathering place for neighbors and friends.
Our friendly staff is committed to providing exceptional service, making sure every visit to Soft Stuff is a delightful experience for the whole family.
Visit us today and taste the difference that 40 years of passion makes