Downtown Colorado Springs will continue to be home to the beloved Josh & John’s ice cream, as the store is relocating just a few blocks from its long-standing spot. Moving approximately four blocks north, Josh & John’s is setting up shop at 333 N. Tejon St., with an anticipated opening around October 1st. For nearly 25 years, the ice cream parlor has been a fixture at 111 E. Pikes Peak Ave.
Owners Lindsay Keller and John Krakauer, a husband and wife team, explained that their current lease is expiring at the end of September. This prompted them to explore other opportunities within the downtown area, ultimately leading them to the North Tejon Street location.
The new site at North Tejon encompasses two adjacent spaces that had been vacant since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, these spaces housed Vapor Source, a vapor products store that closed in December, and Paloma Salon, a beauty shop which shuttered in 2019. These two spaces are being combined to create a single 2,200-square-foot storefront for Josh & John’s. The building itself is a historic 82-year-old brick structure, which also houses Louie’s Pizza restaurant. Renovations are currently in progress, with the wall separating the two former spaces already removed, according to Keller.
While they appreciated their Pikes Peak Avenue location in the heart of downtown, particularly its proximity to the Kimball’s Peak Three Theater, Keller and Krakauer were drawn to the vibrant atmosphere of North Tejon Street. This block is known for its collection of popular restaurants, bars, and diverse businesses.
“The energy on that block is so fun,” Keller commented. “With Wild Goose on one corner alongside Rasta Pasta, and Poor Richard’s just across the street, plus Four by Brother Luck and Odyssey nearby, some of our absolute favorite spots in all of downtown are concentrated in that area.”
Josh and John's Ice Cream storefront at 111 E. Pikes Peak Ave in Colorado Springs, the previous location before relocation to North Tejon Street.
Although the move means leaving behind the movie-going crowd, Josh & John’s is looking forward to tapping into the Colorado College community, located just five blocks to the north. The college is currently constructing a new indoor arena, scheduled to open next year, which is expected to bring increased foot traffic to the area.
The North Tejon Street store will be slightly smaller than the Pikes Peak Avenue location. However, Josh & John’s opened a new ice cream manufacturing plant on the northwest side of Colorado Springs earlier this year. This new facility means the retail store no longer needs to accommodate production, effectively offsetting the need for a larger space. Josh & John’s also operates stores on the north and northwest sides of Colorado Springs, as well as a Fort Collins location that opened in June, demonstrating the brand’s continued growth.
The new Josh & John’s location will retain the existing double doors on the north side and will incorporate a trendy overhead garage door on the south side. This garage door can be opened to extend the indoor seating area onto the Tejon Street sidewalk, creating an inviting open-air atmosphere.
Krakauer emphasized that the changes at the North Tejon store are designed to further enhance customer service. A new polished concrete floor will require less maintenance, allowing staff to dedicate more time to interacting with customers. The revamped store layout will also facilitate curbside pickup and grab-and-go orders. Additionally, a longer counter is planned to ensure faster service and keep customer lines moving efficiently.
Josh & John’s, named after Krakauer and his former partner Josh Paris, originally opened in 1986 on Kiowa Street in downtown Colorado Springs. It then moved to Pikes Peak Avenue approximately 10 years later, establishing its presence in a prime downtown spot for many years.
“Lindsay and I are genuinely excited about this opportunity to refresh and enhance our space,” Krakauer said regarding the new location. “Having learned a great deal over the past 35 years, this move gives us a chance to create exactly what we envision. This particular spot really lends itself to that vision.”
Despite the economic challenges posed by the pandemic, Keller noted that sales have remained strong, with this summer proving to be particularly busy.
“We’ve heard from many customers this summer who feel that getting an ice cream cone from Josh & John’s is a cherished piece of normalcy, and they express so much gratitude for that,” she shared. “The outpouring of support has been truly overwhelming and wonderful.”
