Steel City Pops

Two Steel City Pops locations weren’t enough to satisfy Dallasites’ ravenous craving for ice pops, so the Alabama-based company opened its third store in our neighborhood this year.

Now, Preston Hollow residents can stop by Preston Royal Village for the sweet treats instead of driving across town to Lower Greenville or Casa Linda.

The center’s rapid redevelopment and neighboring homes made the shopping center an ideal spot, says general manager Jonathan Veazey. He and owner Jim Watkins hope the shop’s laid-back atmosphere makes it a community staple — the kind of place where teens hang out together and families meet after their kids’ soccer games.

“I really feel like we’re the anti-chain,” Watkins says. “Any time we go into a place, we want to know the neighborhood and community.”

Watkins launched Steel City Pops in 2012 after he grew bored of life as a musician at an Alabama church. The past five years, he’s worked to maintain a partnership with local growers, expand the frozen empire and test out new flavors.

Unconventional pops like pineapple jalapeno and hibiscus were deemed delicious enough to make the menu, although other flavors, such as honey and brie, were disastrous.

“So many things have been awful, but that’s part of the creative process,” he says. “If you don’t have failure, then you’re not pushing yourself hard enough.”

Did you know: The pops are made with locally sourced ingredients and mixed with lemon juice, water and organic cane sugar. They’re time-consuming, but not complicated, to produce, says general manager Jonathan Veazey.Steel City Pops  Ambiance: Quaint and casual
Price Range: $3-$8
Hours: Noon-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, noon-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday
6025 Royal Lane, suite 105
972.556.5292
steelcitypops.com