Scooping Up a Dream with The Sugar Queen Creamery
When a family shares a dream, sweet things can happen. For Staci Meyer, her mom, and her two sisters, that dream began in a food truck. What started in 2018 as a mobile business serving donuts and pretzels has grown into one of Knoxville's most beloved dessert destinations: The Sugar Queen Creamery.
From the beginning, their goal was simple—bring people joy through handcrafted treats and a welcoming environment. Today, their ice cream shop is packed daily, drawing in locals and visitors alike with the smell of fresh waffle cones and the promise of something special in every scoop.
From Food Truck to Family Favorite
As the family dreamed of growing from a food truck to a brick-and-mortar location, they saw a gap in the local market. Knoxville had plenty of charm, but not many small-batch, hand-scooped ice cream shops. That opportunity and their passion for quality and community shaped the vision for The Sugar Queen Creamery.
They found the perfect building, but finding the perfect financial partner to believe in that vision proved more than challenging. Time after time, traditional lenders turned them away. Some wouldn't even take a meeting once they heard they were opening a restaurant in Knoxville.
UTFCU Stepped In with Support—and Belief
That's when they connected with UT Federal Credit Union. From the first conversation, the tone was different.
UTFCU's commercial lending team listened to Staci and her family's goals, asked questions about their plan, and supported them throughout every step of the lending process. With UTFCU's help, they secured SBA financing and connected with resources that would help them move forward.
"UT Federal Credit Union believed in our dream and helped make it a reality." - Staci Meyer, Owner
It wasn't just about funding—it was about finding someone who saw the potential and was willing to help them grow into it.
Made from Scratch, Made with Love
Today, The Sugar Queen Creamery is more than just an ice cream shop—it's a full dessert experience. Every ice cream flavor is made in-house in small batches using milk from a local dairy. From cookies to brownies to mix-ins and sauces, everything that goes into their desserts is made from scratch.
Their waffle cones are made fresh daily. The scent drifts out the door and pulls people in.
The shop typically offers around 26 flavors at a time, with rotating seasonal favorites. But ice cream isn't the only thing on the menu. The Sugar Queen also serves warm soft pretzels, pretzel dogs, cheesecake slices, and specialty desserts—all created with the same level of handmade care.
A Space to Gather, Play, and Stay
What truly sets The Sugar Queen Creamery apart isn't just what they serve—it's how they serve it. The Creamery was built to be a family-friendly gathering space with an outdoor play area where kids can run and parents can relax. It's a space to slow down, connect, and create memories.
Growth That Keeps Getting Sweeter
Since opening their first storefront, The Sugar Queen has continued to grow, and UT Federal Credit Union has been proud to support them along the way. A second ice cream shop is set to open this spring, and a donut shop is in the works for fall.
From food truck to family staple, The Sugar Queen Creamery is a local success story built on passion, creativity, and a little financial partnership when it mattered most
Connect with The Sugar Queen
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106 E Young High Pike, Knoxville, TN 37920
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