Meghan Schaefer opened Meg’s Creamery in November 2022. She stands at the counter, ready to serve.

RIO LINDA, CA (MPG) - Leaning on the counter as she talked about how her dream of owning a small business had come true, Meghan Schaefer evoked the feelings of an old-fashioned drive-in and home-town wholesomeness.

Meg’s Creamery just celebrated its one-year anniversary on November 4. For those who have lived in the area, they were long familiar with The Creamery that habited the same spot for years. Once the owner decided to close up shop in the summer of 2022, Meg heard opportunity knocking. She saw the posting for the space available on a Friday, took the weekend to think it over, then Monday made the call to become the next operator of The Creamery, which then became Meg’s Creamery.

Meg’s journey began when she moved from her childhood home in Nevada County to Sacramento to attend Sac State. After graduating in 2008 she stayed in the area thanks to the “small-town feel but cheaper energy rates.” Meg entered the hospitality industry where she picked up valuable business management skills. By the time 2020 rolled around, she was looking for a change – and that was even before the Covid 19 pandemic shut down the hospitality industry and forever changed the way hotels operate. When the opportunity arose for her to finally open her own small business, she didn’t hesitate.

She’s put her own stamp on the place since opening last November, in addition to adding her name to the creamery. Sandwiches and burritos are no longer served; she decided to focus almost exclusively on ice cream. However, during the winter months the menu does feature baked potatoes and soup offerings. Some of the most popular potatoes include your classic “Supreme Potato” with butter, sour cream, bacon bits, and green onions as well as the “Pepper Belly Potato” which is layered with chili and shredded cheese, sprinkled with Fritos, and finished off with sour cream and green onions.

Meg’s study of graphic design has come in handy with her creation of the shop’s logo, social media posts, and other artistic touches throughout the shop. As she notes, one of her favorite things about owning the ice cream shop is her ability to express some creativity – quite different from keeping hotels in top shape. She loves when kids recognize her around town, and shout, “Hi Meg!” And of course, she’s now in an industry that makes everyone happy.

The creamery features a large selection of ice cream flavors – everything from Maui Waui Sherbert to Kona Coffee – as well as gourmet sundaes, personalized ice cream sandwiches, multi-flavor milkshakes, and floats.  The waffle cones are made from scratch, as are the caramel apples. The Winter Menu features such tasty treats as Caramel Apple Milkshake, Cinamon Roll Sundae, Frozen Hot Chocolate, and a Toffee Bunt a la mode. 

Undecided? Take the wheel for a spin and let fate decide your dessert of choice at Meg’s Creamery.

And if you think the demand for ice cream in the cooler months has waned, you’d be wrong. Espresso Explosion was introduced last month and was gone in record time. As soon as there’s space in the freezer, she’ll be making it a permanent flavor.  The ice cream shop will also be a drop-off location for Shriner’s Toy Drive; for any customer who brings in a new unwrapped toy they’ll get 10% off their order. Patrons can also drop in during and after the Christmas Light Parade on December 9 for some free hot chocolate.

Meg’s offers the option to order pre-packaged single scoops in bulk for school, sport, or other fundraising events, and has a party room that accommodates 8-20 people. She hopes to plan and host more events in 2024 – ice cream socials, personalized flavors for schools, themed giveaways, etc.

When asked if there was anything else people should now about Meg’s Creamery, Meg simply responded with the shop’s tagline: “Ice cream is always a good idea.”

Meg’s Creamery is located in the same spot as The Creamery was at 924 Oak Lane in Rio Linda, and is open 12:00-8:00 Tuesday through Saturday, and 11:00-3:00 on Sundays.