Windermere couple rolls with new ice cream franchise

Within the striped pastel-pink walls of Winter Garden’s newest rolled ice cream parlor, Rolly Polly Cow, a Windermere couple is turning a Canadian franchise into a Central Florida family destination.

Godfrey and Sandra Fernandes moved to Windermere from New York City 10 years ago. Immediately, Sandra Fernandes felt inspired to start a business.

“When I moved here, I always had a passion to open up some form of business in the restaurant industry,” Sandra Fernandes said. 

She said she had dreams of opening a Spanish restaurant, but while she and her husband continue to work in corporate jobs, a full-service restaurant was risky. Joining the Rolly Polly Cow franchise offered a sweet, whimsical dive into owning a food-service business.

The couple had been considering joining Rolly Polly Cow for six years prior to opening, but it all came down to finding the right location. The Fernandeses were extremely familiar with the Winter Garden community, and when the storefront at 1620 Avalon Road became available, they knew they found the perfect spot.

“We thought it would be beneficial for the customers to be in a family setting, and Winter Garden offers a lot of family activities,” Godfrey Fernandes said. “It has a large, diverse population, so we wanted to be somewhere where we can offer a nice sit-down and ice cream place.”

Rolly Polly Cow has filled a gap in the Winter Garden community for family-centered sweet treats, they said. Godfrey Fernandes said that since opening, customers already have noticed an impact.

“They have already said that they are happy to have an ice cream shop in the neighborhood,” Godfrey Fernandes said. “They said we’ve needed something like this forever and that they were just hoping something like this would come.”

Since the grand opening at the end of February, Rolly Polly Cow has gained a regular customer base — even marking special occasions at the parlor.

“We have a customer that normally comes with his kid,” Godfrey Fernandes said. “He called me about throwing a party. He wanted to have a party for his daughter’s soccer team, to celebrate the end of the year. It was about 40 of them, and it was just great.”

Sandra Fernandes was particularly drawn to the franchise’s aesthetics, and customers are encouraged to take photos at the photo-op spot.

Among grab-and-go parlors in Winter Garden, Rolly Polly Cow invites the community to grab a seat and indulge in a unique ice cream treat. The shop offers cakes, waffles and crepes, with a specialty in freshly made ice cream rolls. In addition to set menu items, the store allows customers to combine mix-ins and flavors.

“We wanted to bring something unique, and rolled ice cream was definitely unique,” Godfrey Fernandes said. “It was something that we didn’t find anywhere in Winter Garden.”

Rolly Polly Cow’s ice cream artists spend two to three weeks learning the menu and practicing how to properly create the signature ice cream rolls. The Fernandeses value presentation; each order is crafted in full view of customers behind a glass pane, turning the ice cream-making process into part of the experience.

“The kids see us roll the ice cream and watch, and they’re very amazed; it’s like entertainment for them.” Sandra Fernandes said. “Even adults are sometimes surprised. It’s just nice.”

Beyond the precise presentation, customers can put their own spin on each treat with Rolly Polly Cow’s fully customizable menu.  

“We make our own flavors,” Godfrey Fernandes said. “We offer three different bases: vanilla, mango and chocolate. We offer any add-in items. It’s a unique experience for the customer, and they make the ice cream any way they want.”

The personalized ice cream experience is only one part of the shop’s appeal. The Fernandeses wanted to give customers a reason to hang out after their ice cream has been rolled and served.

“We want to offer a comfortable setting for customers to come enjoy a good treat,” Godfrey Fernandes said. “We want to be more than just an ice cream shop. We offer pastries; we offer waffles and crepes. We also wanted to offer a setting that families can come and enjoy about 30 minutes to an hour of their day.”

The family aspect the Fernandeses envisioned already has taken shape. Rolly Polly Cow has hosted date nights, after-school outings and family gatherings in the shop. Moving forward, the Fernandeses hope to continue highlighting the family aspect.

“We’re in a good place right now,” Sandra Fernandes said. “Now we’re looking to do family fun nights. We’re going to do everything to draw customers in.” 

The shop still is settling into its new home, the Fernandeses said. As they gain a name in the community, they hope to remain a place where families and friends can gather and have a good time.

“The Rolly Polly Cow is here to stay in Winter Garden,” Sandra Fernandes said. “We’re going to expand and continue to bring joy to families.”

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