Salt & Straw: How the "most interesting ice cream" shop landed in Arizona

Salt & Straw — the popular Oregon-based ice cream chain known for its tasty treats and creative concoctions — will open its first Arizona location at Gilbert's Epicenter Friday.

The big picture: The scoop shop had been looking for an Arizona home for about five years, and found it in one of the Valley's most unique and vibrant corners, Salt & Straw co-founder Kim Malek told Axios.

Zoom in: The Epicenter development was a decades-long dream of restaurateur turned developer Joe Johnston. It serves as the "downtown" of his expansive Gilbert neighborhood, Agritopia .

• He and his team have been intentional about Epicenter's offerings, going after local darlings like Buck & Rider and Matt's Big Breakfast, and encouraging local business owners to develop new concepts, like the Mediterranean restaurant Source.

What they're saying: "It is such an incredible collection of restaurants and I just can't believe we get to be part of this, because he's been so careful with who he lets in," Malek told us.

• She said she'd followed Johnston's work for years and was "star struck" when she met him.

The intrigue: Salt & Straw will be the only non-Arizona business in Epicenter. William Johnston, the development's CEO and Joe's son, told Axios they had been seeking out the perfect dessert option and felt comfortable letting the ice cream chain in because of their community-minded vision.

• Malek said she's already planning ways to incorporate Arizona in the new shop, including with local chef collaborations and partnerships with Valley chocolateries and olive oil producers.

What to expect: This isn't your average ice cream parlor, Malek said.

• It's designed to be welcoming and lively, with the hope that people of all ages will feel comfortable hanging out.
• They also give unlimited tastings, and encourage ice cream lovers to try something new every time.

What to try: With unexpected flavors like Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper, Salt & Straw is sometimes called the "most interesting ice cream in the world," Malek said.

• Each month, the ice creamery puts out a new rotating menu.
• July's specialty flavors include Goat Cheese Marionberry Habanero, Huckleberry Cornbread Pudding and Wild-Foraged Berry Slab Pie.

Stop by: The first 100 guests Friday will get a free beverage from neighboring Peixoto Coffee and a Salt & Straw-branded visor.