Creme & Sugar has become a favorite stop for anyone craving something sweet. From frozen yogurt to bubble tea and coffee drinks, this shop is more than just a dessert stop—it’s a place where family values and hard work come together.
Behind it all is Diana McAdams and her husband, both passionate, Arkansas born and raised owners who have built the business through experience, perseverance, and a lot of help from their family. Diana’s journey with Creme & Sugar started in 2012 when she purchased Snow Island Shaved Ice, a small business that had been operating across from the local university.
At the time, the business was already gaining popularity with students and locals alike, serving up refreshing shaved ice during the hot Arkansas summers. Diana and her two sons ran the stand for seven years, but that was just the beginning.
“In 2012, I bought a business that was established. My sons and I ran that for seven years,” Diana explained. Her entrepreneurial spirit didn’t stop there. In 2018, she saw an opportunity to expand. The Froyo Factory, a nearby frozen yogurt shop, went up for sale, and Diana decided it was time to grow.
She purchased Froyo Factory and took on a bigger vision. Over the next year and a half, Diana remodeled the entire space, tearing down walls and making room for a much wider range of products. Creme & Sugar opened its doors in May 2019, and it’s been a local favorite ever since.
“We turned it into Creme & Sugar, which includes frozen yogurt, hand-dipped ice cream, shaved ice, baked goods, macarons, coffee drinks, milkshakes, and more,” she said. It was clear that Diana had a knack for building a business that could cater to everyone’s sweet tooth.
Diana’s success with Cream & Sugar didn’t just come out of nowhere. She had years of business experience under her belt, including a background in coffee. In the 1990s, she ran a coffee shop in Little Rock but while she loved the coffee business, she didn’t necessarily want Creme & Sugar to become a coffee shop.
“I had a background in coffee, but I didn’t want this to be a coffee shop per se,” Diana explained.
“We added baked goods right off the bat,” Diana said, “but other things like the bubble teas and frappes got added within the first year or two.” By 2020, the shop had expanded its menu to include everything from milkshakes to bubble tea, ensuring that every customer could find something they loved.
One of the things that makes Creme & Sugar stand out is its strong family ties. Diana’s sons play major roles in running the business, with her oldest handling scheduling and managing the busy weekend shifts, while her middle son anchors the daytime operations. But the family involvement doesn’t stop there.
“It’s very much family-owned,” Diana said. “Both my boys work here, and I also have two nephews who work here—one full-time, one part-time. My granddaughter worked here when she was in school.” This deep family involvement has helped keep the business grounded and running smoothly, even during the busiest seasons.
Diana’s family not only helps with day-to-day tasks but also contributes to the overall customer experience. By having trusted family members working alongside her, Diana can ensure that the shop maintains its friendly, welcoming atmosphere—something that keeps customers coming back.
For many dessert shops, winter months can bring a noticeable dip in sales, but Creme & Sugar has managed to keep customers coming in year-round.
“People eat ice cream year-round,” Diana said with a smile. To keep things exciting during the winter, Creme & Sugar adds seasonal touches like flavored hot chocolates and specialty coffee drinks. “We try to push the coffee a little more in the winter,” Diana explained.
One of the biggest advantages Creme & Sugar has is its prime location. Positioned near Walmart and several popular restaurants, the shop gets plenty of foot traffic. This has been a key factor in drawing in both locals and college students.
Diana also gives back to the community by participating in local events and making donations. She’s always looking for ways to get involved, especially when it comes to supporting the local college and helping students discover the shop.
“We do a lot of donations, secret auctions, and things like that to help the kids,” she said. Once students find Cream & Sugar, they tend to keep coming back.
With a business built on family, hard work, and community support, Diana McAdams has found a winning formula. Creme & Sugar has grown from a small shaved ice stand to a beloved local destination for sweet treats and coffee, all while keeping its family-oriented roots.
As Diana continues to run Creme & Sugar alongside her family, the shop will no doubt remain a staple in the Searcy community for years to come. Whether you’re craving a refreshing shaved ice on a hot day or a warm, comforting cup of coffee in the winter, Creme & Sugar has something for everyone.
Find them on Facebook to continue keeping up with their tasty treats!
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