The owner of Fat Cat Creamery, an ice cream shop that specializes in using locally sourced ingredients, Johnston was the first to open an ice cream store in the Heights.
She started selling her ice cream in 2011 and opened the storefront in 2013. During Halloween weekend in 2020, she opened her second store, which also hosts the production of the ice cream.
Johnston said having the second location allows her to focus on the business side of things as her head ice cream chef takes care of things such as coming up with new flavors and overseeing the production of the product.
Everything on the menu is made in house—except the rainbow sprinkles, Johnston said. If there is a cookie inserted into the flavor, it is baked in house. Even the brown butter brown sugar waffle cones are made fresh every day.
Using fresh and local ingredients has always been at the forefront of Johnston’s mind as it has always been her personal philosophy.
“If I was going to start an ice cream shop, it definitely was going to be using the ideals that I subscribe to in life—so trying to support local, getting milk and cream from local farmers and eggs from local farmers,” Johnston said.
The traditional flavors are all available as well as seasonal flavors that rotate through the year.
“Making the base and everything completely from scratch and also our commitment to sustainability and using local ingredients really sets us apart,” Johnston said. “We [also] do milkshakes, malts sundaes [and] our own baked goods.”
With the recent opening of the newest shop, Johnston said she is content with making sure both of her stores continue to thrive in the Houston community. Supporting local does not stop at where she gets her ingredients; it also carries over into the people she hires, she said.
“My favorite thing about being a business owner in general is being able to give people a job and being able to support the community. I really like Houston. This is my home,” Johnston said.
Fat Cat Creamery
1901 N. Shepherd Drive, Houston
713-869-1080
1225 W. 34th St., Houston
832-409-6568
www.fatcatcreamery.com
Hours: Mon.-Thu. noon-10 p.m., Fri. noon-11 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
