A young boy and girl are sharing a large ice cream cone together, with their foreheads touching and eyes closed, outdoors on a summer day.

Back in 2016, life took an unexpected turn for our family. What first felt like an obstacle became an opportunity to build something of our own. As parents of two children living in southeast Calgary, we were always looking for quality dessert places where families could spend time together. We quickly realized there wasn't anything quite like that in our community, so we decided to build the kind of place we wished existed.

Not just an ice cream and waffle shop. A place where kids would celebrate the last day of school, grandparents would spoil their grandkids, friends would meet after soccer practice and families would create memories they’d remember for years to come. These are the moments we hope to be part of.

In March 2018, XO Ice Cream & Waffles opened its doors in Auburn Bay. From day one, we committed ourselves to doing things the right way. Our ice cream is handcrafted in-house in small batches. Our waffles are made from a cherished recipe and baked fresh to order. We believe the extra care is something you can taste.

Today, XO is still family-owned and every decision we make comes back to the same belief that inspired us from the very beginning: ice cream isn't just dessert. It's an excuse to spend time together.

Thank you for letting us be part of your traditions.

Darren & Melanie

The story behind XO