Coral Springs residents have two hometown contenders in a national ice cream tournament starting Thursday, July 16. Cherry Smash and Let’s Chill Homemade Ice Cream will compete in an online, bracket-style contest run by The64.com that runs through Sunday, Aug. 2.
What this means for Coral Springs customers
The competition is decided by public voting online. That gives local residents a direct way to boost visibility for the two shops and potentially attract visitors from outside the area if either advances. Each match-up lasts several days; fans may cast votes for their preferred shop during that window.
- Cherry Smash is a traditional ice cream parlor at 8000 Wiles Road, noted locally for creative sundae offerings and an active Instagram presence.
- Let’s Chill Homemade Ice Cream, at 9739 W. Sample Road, began after the COVID-19 pandemic and is recognized for a wide flavor range, including boozy flights and classic flavors.
Matchups and schedule
In the opening round on Thursday, July 16, Cherry Smash is paired against Whitey’s Ice Cream of Moline, Illinois. Let’s Chill will face Cottonwood Creamery & Cookies from Albuquerque, New Mexico.
| Coral Springs Shop | Address | Opening Round Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| Cherry Smash | 8000 Wiles Road | Whitey’s Ice Cream (Moline, IL) |
| Let’s Chill Homemade Ice Cream | 9739 W. Sample Road | Cottonwood Creamery & Cookies (Albuquerque, NM) |
“Voting begins Thursday and continues through the first Sunday in August,” organizers say.
Local context and likely impact
Both shops already have local followings. Let’s Chill earned national attention last year when Yelp ranked it the nation’s No. 2 ice cream shop for 2025. Cherry Smash is known around Coral Springs for inventive sundaes and a strong social media profile.
City managers allowed Let’s Chill to operate a food truck at the city’s Fourth of July celebration on July 4, giving the shop exposure to residents and visitors. Success in the tournament could increase foot traffic and sales, and broaden publicity for Coral Springs’ small-business scene.
How residents can help
Residents who want to support either shop should watch for voting links and instructions published by The64.com when the tournament opens on July 16. Votes are cast online during the tournament's match windows. Local patrons can also support the shops directly by visiting their locations and engaging with their social media channels to raise their profiles.
News Block will monitor the tournament and report local results as they are announced.
