Rick Nordin and Kristi Lee-Nordin, Cups & Cones restaurant co-owners, installed a new grill and vent hood at their Steiner Ranch ice cream parlor in July to accommodate customers’ requests to add hamburgers to their menu.

“We’ve been inching forward, one thing after another,” Rick said of the restaurant’s growth since opening in 2007. “We’ve molded Cups & Cones based on what the community is looking for.”

The couple created the business plan for Cups & Cones while on a family road trip to Port Aransas, Rick said. While coming up empty-handed on a search for ice cream for their three children, Rick said he developed the idea of opening an ice cream parlor back home.

The idea took off, and soon the Nordins were serving up more than ice cream.

Kristi and Rick launched the first annual Steiner Ranch Concert in the Park in 2008 as well as the area’s first farmers market in 2009.

Rick, said his background in software sales and marketing prompted his community-minded approach to business.

“Marketing is all about creating awareness and bringing people together,” Rick said.

Along with hosting civic events, the cafe serves ice cream to its neighbors.

“We go through 150 to 200 gallons of ice cream a week,” Rick said.  “In serving all of that ice cream we’re creating smiles and relationships with kids.”

2900 N. Quinlan Park Road, Ste. 290 512-266-2444 www.cups-and-cones.com Hours: Mon.-Sat. 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m.