Llamas, ice cream, waffles planned for grand opening party in Biltmore Park
ASHEVILLE - A new treat shop is opening with lots of surprises in store for customers, from branded swag to free desserts, and even selfies with … llamas?
On Jan. 20, The Dolly Llama Waffle Master, which serves sweet and salty waffle and ice cream edible masterpieces, will open at 2 Town Square Blvd., Suite 130, Biltmore Park Town Square.
Franchise owners Ryan Bivins and his wife, Kristie, are staying true to the business’s brand by bringing two llamas to the grand opening party for unforgettable photo opportunities.
“They’re very social," Bivins said of the llamas. "They’re a lot of fun."
The California-based company’s name was inspired by an actual llama named Dolly that lives on a farm in the South of France and is beloved by co-founder Samuel Baroux. In 2017, Baroux and childhood friend Eric Shomof launched the dessert shop concept in Los Angeles, and it has continued to expand with new stores across the U.S.
The Bivinses, Asheville residents and new franchise owners, share a love for llamas and creating family-friendly hangouts for the community, which motivated them to invest in North Carolina’s first Dolly Llama Waffle Master. They also own Launch Trampoline Park in Arden.
“It’s combining two things people love ― waffles and ice cream,” Bivins said. “When you come into the store, it’s very bright and modern. It’s going to be fun and exciting.”
At the grand opening celebration, which will be from noon to10 p.m., the franchisees will be giving away merchandise, such as water bottles, key chains, stickers, and sunglasses. A giveaway prize will include $10 off an order every month for 12 months.
The regular hours are 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 12-7 p.m. Sunday.
The Dolly Llama Waffle menu
The artisanal desserts are made with either the bubble waffle ― described as thick and airy ― or the liege ― a flat, rectangular and denser waffle.
Customers may order from the board of signature creations, like the Dolly’s Dream made with a bubble waffle topped with Ultimate Cookie Monster ice cream, fresh strawberries, brownies and Nutella sauce.
Sugar N’ Spice is another popular choice, which is a liege waffle topped with horchata ice cream, speculoos cookies, cinnamon toast crunch cereal pieces and caramel sauce.
The build-your-own option invites guests to make their original concoction from an assortment of ice cream flavors, toppings and sauces, like fruit, sprinkles, candy and candy bar pieces, cereal, gummy bears, nuts and more.
“You’ve got the heat from the waffle, the cold from the ice cream then you’ve got various toppings and sauces on top of it that create an amazing palate,” Bivins said. “It (is) almost like a party in your mouth.”
Ice cream-based XL shakes and kid-serving-sized items are on the menu. Vegan flavors are available, too.
Now open in Biltmore Park
The retail suite has undergone extensive renovations over several months, during which time neighbors and visitors of Biltmore Park have gotten a chance to sample what was to come.
“There’s quite a few folks in the Biltmore Park community that have already received some waffles ― both the bubble waffle and the liege waffle ― and they loved it. They wanted more,” Bivins said. “We had people who we’ve given waffles to come to the door asking for seconds.”
The dining room offers seating for guests, including optimal views of the desserts as they are being made.
A private room was constructed in the back of the store for overflow guest seating and special event bookings.
Bivins said birthday party packages that invite children to celebrate their special day and make and decorate their waffle desserts, as well as other activities, are still in development.
The Dolly Llama Waffle Master
Where: 2 Town Square Blvd., suite 130, Biltmore Park Town Square.
Grand opening: Jan. 20
Hours: 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; noon-7 p.m. Sunday.
Info: For more, visit thedollyllamaus.com and facebook.com/thedollyllamaUS/ and @thedollyllama_us.
Stories you may have missed:
The Dolly Llama Waffle Master to bring artisanal ice cream, creative waffles to Asheville
Check out these 2024 Asheville Restaurant Week meals and deals, Jan. 16-22
Asheville award-winning restaurant group plans 2024 expansion
Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow her on Instagram @PrincessOfPage. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Dolly Llama Waffle Master hosts grand opening at Biltmore Park
