Boom Town Creamery is expanding again, but this time it’s a brand new concept. Owner Angela Muir is joining the array of concepts filling out Bungalow 23, owned by Truong Le and Ty Hamilton, and she’s teaming up with Executive Chef Kayli Bartnicki to present Novelty by Boom Town. The projected open date is May 16. 

“When Truong approached me, I was a no at first, because it’s so close to our original location in Uptown 23rd,” Muir said. “The more I thought about it, the more it was clear he was going to have someone doing desserts in the bungalows, so it might as well be us.”

 

The “us” is the indicator that something is changing. “I never want to do Boom Town without Kayli, but I also wanted her to have a chance to have ownership and to grow with the company,” Muir said.

Bartnicki is officially chef-partner in Novelty by Boom Town, a frozen dessert concept on the western edge of Bungalow 23.

“When we first started Boom Town, we were small enough that I could do weird, funky stuff,” Bartnicki said, “but as we’ve grown, it’s gotten harder to do that, largely because we try to source as much locally as possible. Fresh strawberries for one spot is way easier than fresh, local strawberries for five locations. Novelty gives us the chance to do some weird, funky, fun stuff on a smaller scale.” 

The 700-square-foot space will have seating for 33, but the main focus is gran-n-go desserts featuring Boom Town’s delicious ice creams. Emily Madden of Thready or Knot handled the bright, beautiful banquette, and Mike Galloway came up with eye-catching, whimsical illustrations to supplement the brand. 

“The menu will be built around four rotating ice creams, ice cream sandwiches, drumstick cones, and ice cream ‘nachos,’” Bartnicki said. “You will still be able to come in and order a shake, but there will be four flavors each season to choose from, and then we’ll have suggested toppings for specific flavors to make loaded milkshakes.”

The sandwiches are already ready to go, and long-time fans of Boom Town are going to be very happy to see Okie Crunchie Munchie return in ice cream sandwich form. The outer layers are potato chip and pretzel crust sandwiching hazelnut ice cream. There is a wild blueberry flavor, too, this one sandwiched between Earl Grey cookies. The drumstick is a blue corn waffle cone with Mexican cinnamon ice cream, dulce de leche, and chile-chocolate dip. Muir said they will eventually add frozen entremets – mulit-layered, frozen desserts that look very much like patisserie offerings. 

Novelty will be the second concept from Muir (and fifth location overall), and the first with Bartnicki as a partner. The Boom Town location in The Skirvin Hilton will be the fourth location for the signature creamery, and it’s scheduled for a May 1 opening.