How it Began

It all started with a mango tree in a South Florida neighborhood, where eight-year-old Marie Mercado lived. Like many homes in the area, Marie's neighbor had a bountiful mango tree that produced more fruit than one family could possibly eat. Every season, bags of ripened mangoes would make their way to Marie's doorstep, gifted by the generous neighbors.

Marie and her family would dive into the bags, savoring the sweetness of the mangoes. However, even with their best efforts, there were always more mangoes than they could handle. One fateful day, while browsing the local supermarket, Marie’s family spotted a hand-churning ice cream machine on sale. A spark of inspiration ignited within her and her family—they could transform those endless mangoes into a delightful treat that could be enjoyed all year round.

With excitement and creativity, Marie and her family began experimenting. They churned batches of ice cream, infusing them with flavors like ube, coconut, and of course, mango. Each summer, their home became a haven of freshly churned ice cream eagerly anticipated by family and friends.

And so, what began with an overabundance of mangoes and a simple hand-churning ice cream machine blossomed into a lifelong passion, setting the stage for the creation of Sampaguita Ice Cream.
 

A Message from the Owners

 Sampaguita is more than just an ice cream shop to us – it’s a dream come true. We put every penny we had ever earned into building this store, working with a dedicated team to make it beautiful and intentional. We found a work family who knock it out of the park everyday. As we reflect on this journey, we can’t help but feel grateful for the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. It’s more than ice cream; it’s about sharing our culture and our stories with the community and writing history together with you.

Our flavors are a reflection of the deep connections and cherished memories that have shaped us from childhood to the present day. Inspired by lifetime friendships and the stories passed down from one generation to the next, each scoop is a tribute to the flavors of our heritage and the bonds that have enriched our lives.

To all of our family — both those who came before us and those who stand beside us today — this is for you. Together, we’ve shared successes, navigated obstacles, and celebrated milestones. You’ve offered us encouragement, guidance, and a shoulder to lean on during the most challenging times. Thank you for being a part of our journey and for inspiring us to create flavors that capture the essence of who we are and where we come from.

Thank you to the generations before us for paving the way for dreams like ours to flourish

Thank you to our family and friends for their sacrifices and understanding as we pursued our dream. And thank you to all of you for believing in us and supporting our dream.

Thank you for being a part of our story, and here’s to many more years of sweet memories at Sampaguita!

Salamat kaayo!

Marie & Mo