Mulligans Creamery has yet to open, but word about the golf-themed ice cream shop is getting around. Located on Capital Drive in Southern Pines, Mulligans is owned by Greg Michas and Dawn Spring, a married couple who moved to the area full-time in April. The pair has owned a house in Pinehurst, however, for about eight years.
“Both of us are originally from New Jersey,” Greg said. “We were born and raised there.”
The shop is the product of a love for both ice cream and the fairways.
“We always look for good ice cream,” Greg said. “In jest, I said we should open an ice cream shop here.”
“We just love ice cream,” Dawn admitted. “It’s one of our passions.”
As far as golf goes, Greg has been at it since he was a youngster.
“I’ve been playing golf since I was 9 or 10 years old,” he said. “It’s been a long time.”
Dawn has also played for quite a while.
“It’s been like 20 years for me,” she said. “It’s something we love to do together.”
Given the duo’s respective business careers, the right mix seems present for a successful run at Mulligans.
“I grew up in a family-run supermarket business,” Greg, who played lacrosse at the University of Denver, said. “Food is not a foreign subject matter to me.”
A product of Seton Hall University – where she obtained a bachelor’s degree and an MBA – Dawn has held leadership positions at several companies, including Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Peloton, Oticon, and Tiffany & Co.
Many say location is everything. If that’s how it goes, Mulligans has another ace.
“We love the location we’re in,” Greg said. “The whole area’s a great area.”
Judging from the response to a recent event, it looks like Greg’s assertion isn’t just a sales pitch.
“We did a tasting and gave out close to 260 cups,” he said. “We sampled four different flavors.”
Although Mulligans has a portfolio of 100 flavors and will always offer 32, Greg believes a customer favorite won’t be anything extravagant.
“I really think it’s going to be the traditional cone and cup,” he said.
Specialty flavors will be available around holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Many businesses aim to reach a particular customer, whether it’s determined by age, gender, or income level, for example. Mulligans isn’t concerned with demographics.
“We want anybody and everybody who loves ice cream,” Greg said. “We’re going to have something for everyone.”
Along with commercial viability, Dawn and Greg have broader goals. Having a positive impact in the community, partially through employment opportunities, is a priority.
“We’ll probably have between 24 and 28 (employees),” Greg said. “That’s probably where we’re going to be at.”
Beyond providing jobs, examples of how to achieve career and personal growth will be on full display.
“My wife and I both love to mentor people,” Greg said.
“Being in business our whole lives gives us an opportunity to help team members start on the right foot,” Dawn said.
Queries from candidates indicate they’ll have the right materials.
“I’ve been extremely happy with what I’ve seen,” Greg said.
Ice cream aficionados in the area have more than one choice. Greg and Dawn aren’t focused on what anyone else may be doing.
“We don’t really compete with anybody,” Greg said. “There’s other people selling. It’s who likes what ice cream.”
With seating for between 24 and 28 people, Mulligans will be welcoming customers shortly.
“We are planning for the last week of August or the beginning of September,” Greg said.
Those with canine friends won’t have to go home guilty.
“We’ll have pup cups,” Dawn said.
To learn more, go to: https://mulliganscreamery.com.
~Written by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Dave Lukow. Dave has been honored as both a lyricist and screenwriter. Among other publications he’s contributed to are the Buffalo News, JD Journal, Beckett Hockey, Seminole Player’s Life, Poker Pro, Walmart World, and All In.
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