Tucked inside the Cottage Grove public market is a 200-square-foot ice cream shop that’s quickly become one of Oregon’s best-kept secrets: if you can find a moment without a line out the door.
Welcome to Cone Heads, a small, family-owned operation that packs huge flavor. Located at 926 E Main St in Cottage Grove, Cone Heads is the first New Zealand-style fruit ice cream shop in all of Lane County, and once you try it, you’ll understand why this humble spot is causing such a stir.
Unlike typical American ice cream, which is often scooped or made with processed mixes, Cone Heads starts with premium hard ice cream and blends it with your choice of local frozen fruit on the spot. The result is a creamy, fruit-infused soft serve made right before your eyes. You pick the flavors, they mix them fresh, and then you get to customize with fun toppings. It’s not just dessert, it’s an experience YOU help create, and the result is heavenly.
Founded by Tim and Lisa Eide, Cone Heads was born from a dream. At 16, Tim went to culinary school, but became disenchanted with mass-quantity cooking. Since then, he's fallen in love with cooking again, and 20 years on, his foodie love nudged him towards opening an ice cream shop.
After 13 years as a barber, Tim stumbled upon the concept of New Zealand-style real fruit ice cream in The Portlander magazine and instantly fell in love. Inspired by the joy ice cream brings, and with roots in culinary training and a food-loving family (his mother, father, and Portland MasterChef George Brown of Embassy Suites fame, all had a hand in shaping his passion), Tim set out to build something new. He and Lisa eventually landed in Cottage Grove, a peaceful little town just outside Eugene, and realized there wasn’t a single ice cream shop around. That was a travesty that would have to be amended immediately.
Two years later, they opened Cone Heads, a small but mighty shop inside the public market, surrounded by food trucks, a winery, and a soon-to-open coffee bar. Their motto? “You pix it. We mix it. You licks it.” And yes, they mean it literally: customers pick their real fruit, which is blended on the spot with creamy vanilla or frozen yogurt.
But what really sets Cone Heads apart is their flavor creativity and endlessly customizable treats. Every month features a new artisan special: think vanilla ice cream topped with a honey bourbon amaretto sauce, sliced almonds, a Bing cherry, and a Samoa cheesecake bite. They collaborate with other local legends like Caleb Hawn and Random Acts of Cookies, stuffing homemade cookies with your choice of whipped, frozen dairy goodness.
It’s no wonder locals are obsessed. Just read the reviews:
“My kids and I love this place! There are so many delicious options and the pop rock topping is always a winner 🙂 I had their special today and it was amazing! Try this place, you will be glad you did!” — Savanna Evans
“So good! Super cool idea and wonderful flavor combos! I got blackberry with graham cracker dust and honey. To say it was amazing is an understatement!” — Mitchel Kelly
“This might just be the best ice cream in all of the Willamette Valley!” — Spencer Rea
Aside from soft ice cream treats, Cone Heads also offers a full array of yummy hard ice cream flavors, hand-scooped straight from the freezer case.
Despite the small space, the dream is big. Tim and Lisa plan to launch an ice cream tricycle soon to bring their fruity creations straight to the community, and one day, they hope to open more shops all along the I-5 corridor, starting with Eugene.
For now, this little shop is overflowing with joy, flavor, and community love. And yes, the lines are long, but ask anyone who’s been: it’s worth every second.
Where is Cone Heads Located in Cottage Grove, Oregon?
Hours:
- Wednesday–Friday: 3 PM – 8 PM
- Saturday: 12 PM – 8 PM
- Sunday–Tuesday: Closed
(Note: hours may differ on holidays like the 4th of July)
Phone: (541) 861-8399
