40 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JUNE 26-JULY 2, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com America’s Last Hometown, Pacific Grove, is abuzz over the fact that it finally has a bona fide ice cream shop after years without one. The fact that Colette’s opened recently on Lighthouse Avenue in downtown even got a shoutout from the dais at P.G. City Council. “I am glad there is an ice cream shop in town. That is number one for me,” said a smiling Councilmember Chaps Poduri during a meeting in May. One would think that a seaside town frequented by tourists would have an abundance of ice cream shops. And yet, P.G. has relied on places like Lucy’s on Lighthouse, which sells Marianne’s Ice Cream from Santa Cruz, and Thrifty Ice Cream from the case at Rite Aid, now shuttered due to bankruptcy. Pagrovians and tourists craving the frozen treat freshly scooped had to cross over into Monterey where there are chain shops and restaurants to visit—Nico’s Real Fruit Ice Cream is the latest addition along Cannery Row. Two Monterey shops, Revival Ice Cream and Monterey Bay Creamery, make ice cream in-house. Colette’s joins Revival as the second shop on the Peninsula selling organic ice cream made in the store. Owners Nicole and Roy Ballesteros are true entrepreneurs—Colette’s is their third business, with Nicole owning a hair salon in downtown Monterey and Roy owning a window and exterior building cleaning business. They have five children, ages 4-21—the shop is named after their youngest daughter. It was Roy who years ago shared with Nicole that his dream was to make and sell ice cream. “‘Everyone’s always really happy when they go into an ice cream shop and you don’t see people bummed out there. They’re having a good experience,’” Nicole remembers Roy saying. Roy attended an ice cream school in Florida to learn how to make the stuff, and later the couple went to another workshop in Boise, Idaho that focused on business operations. The couple focuses on classic flavors—vanilla, chocolate and strawberry, of course, along with rocky road, pistachio and around 15 other flavors developed by Nicole, offered on a rotating basis. They make two dairy-free options with one always in the case. For a long time the idea of opening an ice cream shop was a “fun dream,” Nicole says, “but then everything finally aligned for this to become possible.” Roy told his friend, developer Dan Silverie, about his dream of making people happy with ice cream. Silverie suggested they rent a commercial space in the condo building he constructed at 520 Lighthouse Ave. A year and a half later, and after a lot of hard work, late nights and “a whole lot of heart and hustle,” says Nicole, Colette’s is open. Making ice cream wasn’t Nicole’s dream, but she originally told Roy she would “1000 percent support” him. “And now I’m the one making the ice cream,” Nicole says. She wasn’t even a big consumer of ice cream, until now. “I’ve eaten more ice cream in the last two months than I have in my entire life. I’m not even joking,” she says. Nicole is particular about which ingredients she uses. She chose Strauss organic ice cream base, and uses locally grown strawberries and other local ingredients for her recipes. The chocolate is either Ghiradelli’s or Guittards. She uses natural ingredients to color ice cream, like spirulina for the green shades of mint chocolate chip and pistachio. (One exception is Oreos for the cookies and cream.) Already they say they’re getting calls from the likes of the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Pebble Beach Company, asking if they can make ice cream for them, something they are figuring out. They are planning ice cream sandwiches and pints to go. Beyond ice cream, the couple added an espresso machine for morning coffee and Ad Astra pastries. Nicole’s love of coffee and Roy’s ice cream dream inspired the pairing. They even created an image of a personified ice cream cone and a coffee cup, arm in arm. Under the words “Ice Cream-CoffeeCommunity” is the saying “Best Duo in Town.” Colette’s Ice Cream, 520 Lighthouse Ave., Suite 100, Pacific Grove. 7am-8pm, Tuesday to Thursday; 7am-10pm, Friday and Saturday; 7am-8pm, Sunday. 999-0987, colettesicecream.com. FIRST COURSE Giselle Ballesteros, daughter of owners Nicole and Roy Ballesteros and a clerk at newly opened Colette’s, samples some of her mom’s ice cream made fresh onsite. DANCE WITH PRIDE…Have some pints for pride at Other Brother Beer Co.’s fundraiser dance party on Friday, June 26 from 9pm-midnight. Starting at 7pm, $1 from every pint sold will get donated to Monterey Peninsula Pride. Age 21 and up. $5 minimum donation at the door. 877 Broadway Ave., Seaside. 747-1106, otherbrotherbeer.com. PINK PAINT…Get ready for a fun paint and sip evening at McIntyre Vineyards on Friday, June 27 from 5-7pm. Participants will join in a guided paint session with the theme “Pink Wine.” $55 includes a glass of wine and nibbles. Space is limited. 24 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. 574-3042, mcintyrevineyards.com. TAKE IT TO THE BIANCO… Learn about Italian white wines at Lady Somm’s next educational session on Saturday, June 28 from 12:30-2pm. You’ll taste Italian white wines, nibble a cheese plate and learn about the different regions, varietals and flavors of Italy. $45. 3728 The Barnyard, G-23, Carmel. 295-0612, ladysomm.com. PULL PARTY…Celebrate the Fourth of July with something sweet at Carousel Candies. Grab some goodies and receive a complimentary bag of red, white and blue housemade saltwater taffy. Ten percent of all sales from the weekend will be donated to the Veterans Transition Center of Monterey County. 31 Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey. 646-9801, carouselcandies.com. A LITTLE ITALY…Pèppoli is turning 25, and to mark the occasion they are hosting a strolling Italian feast paired with wine. None other than Piero Antinori, winemaker for the legendary Antinori wine family will be there. This taste of Tuscany takes place Friday, July 11, with tickets on sale now. $295. 2700 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach. (844) 713-2217, pebblebeach.com. SWEET TREATS…Watsonville’s popular Freedom Bakery has opened a location in Monterey for ordering and pickup only. 305 Webster St., Monterey. 722-5223, freedombakery.com SIGN OF SUMMER…Solstice at the Village Big Sur has reopened after winter hibernation. They are serving a four-course, prix-fixe dinner for $129 featuring seasonal and local ingredients. Wednesday through Sunday starting at 5:30pm. 46840 Highway 1, Big Sur. 667-1700, thevillagebigsur.com. By Jacqueline Weixel MORSELS eatanddrink@montereycountynow.com “Everyone’s happy when they go into an ice cream shop.” EAT + DRINK DANIEL DREIFUSS Delicious Duo An entrepreneurial couple brings ice cream and coffee to downtown Pacific Grove. By Pam Marino
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