Today we’d like to introduce you to Wendy, Thomas, Josh, and Sarah Michelle Belt.
Hi Wendy, Thomas, Josh, and Sarah Michelle, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Our story started with something simple: family and ice cream. Growing up, some of our favorite memories were made sitting together over a cone or sundae, laughing, talking, and enjoying time with the people we love most. When we decided to open JT’s Creamery, we wanted to create that same feeling for other families in our community.
JT’s Creamery was built around the people closest to us. The name “JT” comes from our son Josh and my husband Thomas. Josh brings his culinary background and creativity into the business, while Thomas has been a constant source of support every step of the way. Our family moved from New York to North Carolina with a heart for building community, and opening the creamery became a way to combine our love for people with the joy that ice cream brings.
What started as a dream quickly became more than just an ice cream shop. We wanted JT’s Creamery to be a welcoming place where families can gather, students can have their first job experience, and the community can make lasting memories together. Today, seeing people celebrate birthdays, after-school moments, date nights, and everyday wins inside our shop reminds us exactly why we started.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One of the biggest challenges for us has been the economy and the rising cost of goods and shipping. Like many small businesses, we’ve seen prices increase across almost everything we use, from ingredients and supplies to delivery costs. At the same time, we know families are feeling those same pressures in their everyday lives.
We’ve worked hard to avoid raising our prices because we want JT’s Creamery to remain an affordable place where families can come together and make memories. But balancing rising operational costs while keeping prices family-friendly has become increasingly difficult. It’s a constant challenge to find that middle ground between supporting our customers and sustaining the business.
Even through those struggles, we remain committed to our community and to creating a welcoming space for families. The support we’ve received from our customers has meant everything to us and continues to motivate us through the harder seasons of running a small business.
We’ve been impressed with JT’s Creamery , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At JT’s Creamery, we are best known for our handcrafted, small-batch ice cream made with high-quality ingredients and a commitment to flavor you can truly taste. From the beginning, we wanted to create ice cream families could feel good about enjoying together, which is why we work hard to avoid artificial dyes, artificial preservatives, and high fructose corn syrup whenever possible. Quality has always been one of our top priorities, and we believe that’s what sets our ice cream apart.
We’re also proud to offer a wide variety of dairy-free flavors because we believe everyone deserves to enjoy rich, flavorful ice cream — not just those who can have dairy. Our non-dairy options are crafted with the same care and attention as everything else we serve, and that inclusivity is something our customers really appreciate.
“A milestone we’re incredibly proud of is having our ice cream recognized by Cornell University — something that sets us apart in the Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, and Apex area. We’ve received awards and ribbons for the cleanliness, smoothness, and flavor of our ice cream, which has been an incredible honor and validation of the care we put into our craft.
Beyond the ice cream itself, one of the things we’re most proud of is the atmosphere and customer experience we’ve created. We are constantly complimented not only on our products, but on our team. Our employees are known for being welcoming, respectful, patient, and kind, and we’ve worked hard to build a culture that reflects the family values our business was founded on.
Community involvement is also a huge part of who we are. Every year, we host a PTA Spirit Night fundraiser competition between Holly Springs elementary schools, and we’ve proudly done this for four years in a row. Through these events, we’re able to give back directly to local school PTAs raising over thousands dollars, while bringing families together in a fun and meaningful way.
At the end of the day, we want people to know that JT’s Creamery is more than just an ice cream shop. We are a family-centered business that cares deeply about quality, community, and creating a place where people can make joyful memories together.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
We’re incredibly grateful for the support our community has shown us over the years. As a family-owned business, every customer who walks through our doors truly means something to us. Whether someone is celebrating a birthday, stopping in after a baseball game, bringing their kids for a treat, or simply making ice cream part of their family tradition, we never take that support for granted.
We also want readers to know that when they support local businesses like JT’s Creamery, they’re supporting more than just a shop — they’re supporting local families, local students, community events, and opportunities to give back. Our goal has always been to create a welcoming place where people can slow down, connect, and make memories together.
We’re excited for what’s ahead and look forward to continuing to serve the Holly Springs and Fuquay-Varina communities with the same quality, care, and heart that inspired us to open JT’s Creamery in the first place.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jtscreamery.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jtscreamery/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jtscreamery
