Two friends, one mission: Delicious Ice Cream Adventures
Our Journey
Back in the early ’80s, Josh and I were just a couple of high school buddies with a shared love of good times and even better ice cream. Somewhere between late-night hangouts and big dreams, the idea was born: Let’s make our own ice cream—and make it better than anything out there.
Fast forward to 1986, and we finally went for it. Armed with two 1920s White Mountain ice cream machines and zero professional experience, we opened a tiny shop in downtown Colorado Springs. The plan? Keep it simple, keep it real, and churn out small-batch ice cream that people would actually get excited about.
Two Friends
Fresh out of Middlebury and Colorado College, Josh and John returned to Boston with one goal: to master the art of ice cream. In December 1985, armed with determination, a 1978 brown Volvo, and degrees in math and psychology, we embarked on a journey to Colorado Springs.
With just three months of combined business experience, we opened our first store on Kiowa Street in June 1986, where the inaugural flavor, Cookies & Cream, became an instant hit—lines stretched out the door from day one!
One Mission
At Josh & John’s, we’re committed to local sourcing and clean, high-quality ingredients. Our cream comes from a nearby dairy that crafts a proprietary, clean-label ice cream blend just for us. Our distribution center is just 200 yards from our Churn Barn.
We sweeten exclusively with pure sugar and never use eggs, preservatives, corn syrup, or carrageenan—only the good stuff.
Josh & John’s Today
What began as a single shop has grown into a cornerstone of the Colorado experience. With six retail locations, a thriving wholesale business, 3 vintage, VW Scoop Buses for events, and the Churn Barn as our central hub, Josh & John’s is now a must-visit destination.
Locals and visitors alike agree: no trip to Colorado is complete without indulging in a scoop of our iconic ice cream. We look forward to serving you.