The Huddle Brand
Consultant · North End ·
Custard stand with walk-up window, ice cream truck
Information
7436 Oakland Ave, Detroit, MI 48211 Get directions
Custard stand with walk-up window, ice cream truck
7436 Oakland Ave, Detroit, MI 48211 Get directions
"Walk-up windows aren’t anything revolutionary. In fact, the window service carryout trend was already taking hold in the region before the pandemic with the addition of spots like breakfast sandwich maker Iggy’s Eggies, soft serve stand Huddle, and its predecessor Chickpea in the D." - Brenna Houck
"Huddle has transitioned from delivery to walk-up window service for the season. Drop by the downtown shop for chocolate and vanilla swirls and custard slushes. Huddle also has an ice cream truck available for social distancing, drive-thru parties." - Brenna Houck
"Kyle Hunt is the co-owner of Huddle, a custard stand with a walk-up window in downtown Detroit. He and his wife, Lea, had planned to unveil a new ice cream truck this spring, rolling it out for private events such as weddings and birthday parties. Going into March, Huddle had already tentatively booked several events for their truck in the 2020 season. But as the first cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Michigan and Detroit’s many offices emptied out, downtown suddenly became a “ghost town,” Hunt recalls. Sales at the custard stand dried up and limits on gatherings put many of their events on hold. While food businesses — even ice cream — were considered essential under the state executive orders, “there’s just no one down there to even make it worth it,” he says. The Hunts had to quickly rethink their business plan. Kyle Hunt prepared the truck for service, getting it painted and setting up an online ordering platform. For the past two months, each week Huddle has opened up for delivery orders around metro Detroit, bringing pints of custard, sugar cones, and sprinkles to the doorsteps of customers looking for a treat while staying in. Deliveries are made on a schedule based on clusters of addresses in different areas, and customers receive a text when their order has arrived. Hunt estimates that the shop has averaged around 600 pints a week for delivery to addresses in Detroit, Grosse Pointe, Ferndale, and Royal Oak. Huddle regularly sells out." - Brenna Houck
