Rise + Roam Has a New Owner With Ice Cream Game

September 5, 2023 – Break out your flavor calculator. It’s time for some addition. 

Rise + Roam will soon be Rise + Roam + Revival. 

News that Revival Ice Cream owner-operator Xanthia Decaux will take over the Carmel Plaza corner spot from Folktale Wine Group comes after flavorful fits and starts with celebrated chefs and flirts with Mexican-Asian fusion.

As it does, Decaux is emphatic about several fundamentals surrounding the change:

1. Revival Ice Cream will be a key part of the equation, but not the main act. More immediate priorities are updates to the space and menu and further movement along the learning curve that comes with a new project. They’ve already opened up the dining-kitchen interface to allow for an airier feel and peeks into production.

2. Rise + Roam executive pastry chef Jessica Haney is already taking on a greater role as both lead pastry whisperer and general manager. “We are proud to be a woman owned and operated business,” Decaux says.

3. Decaux and her team are stoked about the whole thing. “I am absolutely thrilled to be taking ownership of this well established and beloved bakery and pizzeria,” she says. “Our mission here is simple: Delight the taste buds using only the finest and freshest ingredients…we want to craft experiences that transform customers into lifelong fans.”

Her affection for the place helped put the deal in motion, as did familiarity with previous owners Greg and Madrigal Ahn of Folktale Winery (and 7th & Dolores Steakhouse, among other projects), whom Decaux has known since middle school.

Ahn describes an organic dialogue that moved from Rise + Roam being a Revival customer, to partnering, and eventually, Decaux buying Rise + Roam. 

“They loved the bakery—in fact, they were probably among our best customers—[and] we were happy they didn’t want to change what the bakery was doing,” Ahn says. “So…it feels like giving it to a family member more than selling.”

Haney’s ongoing presence will lend stability and insight, as will retaining existing pillars.

“We are still figuring out what direction we will be going,” Haney says, “but we’re definitely keeping the bakery and coffee shop part and adding Revival’s amazing ice cream.” 

Readers can anticipate a more in-depth story as Decaux, Haney and company further define the new era, but it will eventually involve local honey, if customer demand has anything to do with it.

The Bee’s Knees—with honey, beeswax and honeycomb-flavored candy—remains a best seller at the original Revival Ice Cream on Alvarado Street in downtown Monterey. 

Revival staffer Chelsea Olvera reports fans also line up for special flavors like coffee blondie, and dairy free sorbets like the popular Margarita.

“People unfamiliar with Revival might be surprised by our unique flavors,” she says. “There are some ice cream shops down in Carmel by the Sea but not with these flavors. That and the fact they’re homemade would be enticing for me as a customer.”

More at riseandroamcarmel.com and Rise + Roam’s Instagram page.