Dairy-free ice cream shop Seemingly Overzealous expanding to Davidson and Matthews
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios
Charlotte's beloved vegan, dairy-, egg- and gluten-free ice cream shop Seemingly Overzealous is opening two new locations in 2026 in Davidson and Matthews.
Why it matters: The expansion marks a major growth step for the Charlotte-born brand, which has rapidly scaled from one shop in 2023 to five locations planned by the end of next year.
- It's also the latest in the second act for local entrepreneur Garrett Tichy, co-owner of Seemingly Overzealous and the founder of coworking company Hygge, one of the city's most well-known startups.
The Davidson location is scheduled to open in late April or early May 2026 at 207 Griffith St. in the Sadler Square shopping center, which has recently undergone a major overhaul and is slowly reopening with new businesses.
- Construction on the Matthews location will begin shortly after, with an anticipated opening in late summer 2026. It'll be at 126 Matthews Station St., on the ground floor of a new development downtown, near The Flying Biscuit and Moo & Brew.
What they're saying: "It just makes sense to push into communities that don't already have many ice cream options," Tichy tells Axios.
- Tichy says that both markets — and many others — lack local ice cream shops. "If you don't want a chain scoop, you're usually driving pretty far ... That's crazy to me."
Context: Tichy and his wife, Jessica Berresse, started Seemingly Overzealous as a pandemic hobby. Their allergy-friendly ice cream became so popular among friends that they opened a shop in Camp North End in 2023.
What to expect: The biggest update? A significantly larger menu. Tichy says they plan to expand from 12 flavors to 16–24. "We want to maintain rotating flavors like strawberry and mint all the time."
- The new locations will also bring shakes, flights and more baked goods — all 100% dairy, egg- and gluten-free.
Dig in: Their best-selling classics like "CAN'T ALL BE COOKiE" (cookies & cream) and "SCOOP OF SELF DOUBT" (chocolate peanut butter cups) will remain on the menu, in addition to unique flavors like "i'M FREAKiN' OUT" (blood orange w/ candied ginger).
The vibe: Both shops will feature glitter floors, cozy seating (around 20 seats inside plus outdoor seating), and an immersive, playful design similar to the Plaza Midwood location.
- Like their other shops, each will showcase a one-of-a-kind mural by a different local artist.
- Hours will mirror other locations: 1–9pm Monday–Thursday, 1–10pm Friday, 12–10pm Saturday, and 12–8pm Sunday.
What's next: Tichy and Berresse aren't ruling out expanding beyond North Carolina, but say for now the focus is on "stabilizing the five, getting the next two open, and making sure everything is really tight."
In the meantime, you can visit any of their three locations, which recently released new holiday flavors: peppermint bark, gingerbread spice, chocolate orange and spiced chocolate with chili roasted pistachios.
Stop by: 701 Keswick Ave. in Camp North End.
- 1308 The Plaza in Plaza Midwood
- 224 East Blvd. in Dilworth