Through its handcrafted coffee, live music and local art, The Overall Company in downtown Opelika has made a name for itself since its grand opening in August 2012.
As the Alabama summer begins to heat up, the restaurant's popular frozen treats have paved the way for a new addition to their Civil War Era building.
The Overall Company will open The Pop Factory June 15 with an entire room dedicated to its homemade artisan Popsicles.
Co-owners Ali and Ty Maloney and Laura and Jay Pritchard decided several months ago to expand the Popsicle section of their coffee shop and market.
"We always wanted to do more with the Popsicles because they have so much potential," said Ali Maloney, who will manage the factory once it opens. "Our kitchen is really little, so it was too much for us to do everything for the restaurant in there. The Pop Factory will have all of our Popsicle stuff, and it will give us some more room to be creative with what we do."
With a design that has been called "Willy Wonka fused with Steampunk," the new space features copper countertops and a three-dimensional mural made with old factory materials.
"We really wanted to play off the factory theme: gauges, gears, ductwork and things like that," said Keith Moore, factory designer and local artist. "But, we also wanted to have fun with the design. It's a very whimsical space."
The Pop Factory will allow the restaurant to feature 12 flavors per day and create a station for additional dips and toppings.
Visitors to the factory will be able to watch the employees make the pops, which are made with fresh ingredients.
The restaurant's creamy pops, such as the popular salted caramel or chocolate hazelnut flavors, are made with a liquid base similar to homemade ice cream. Fruity pops start with pureed fruit, usually from a local farmer's market.
Maloney estimates The Overall Company has tripled its pop sales since last season. In addition to its location at 1001 Ave. B in Opelika, the restaurant sells its pops at Bay Pines Marina at Lake Martin, farmers markets and special events such as weddings and birthday parties.
"The pops are super popular now," Maloney said. "When we first started selling these last year, no one knew who we were or what a gourmet Popsicle was. People love fresh, local and cold treats this time of year, so this has been a perfect fit for us."
Customers who visit The Overall Company before the June 15 grand opening will have a chance to win tickets to a VIP party June 14.
Continuing with the Willy Wonka theme, the restaurant has placed 50 "golden sticks" inside special pops.
Winners of these golden sticks will receive VIP tickets for themselves and their immediate families.
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