> Out & About: Kayla Lilly, Co-owner of Lilly Pad Dairy Bar
Out & About: Kayla Lilly, Co-owner of Lilly Pad Dairy Bar
Kayla was born and raised in Hartford for a few years until her parents moved to Windsor (Poquonock) in 2000. For about eight years, Kayla danced with the Connecticut Ballet. She went to Western New England University where she majored in Business Management and minored in Sustainability. Kayla says, "Which ties into food safety and all that stuff. Just the way that food is processed in general so being knowledgeable of all those things that was of some interest to me." She is a 2014 graduate with a Bachelor's degree. Kyle attended the Central Connecticut State University and graduated in 2014 as well. Younger sister, Krystin attended the University of Hartford, majored in Acting Training. She had worked with her older siblings for the first summer the Lilly Pad was in business before moving to New York. Kayla says, "She still works with us and helps with our social media portion of the business. Their parents, Andre & Kimberly have run Lilly Caterers for thirty years, starting in South Windsor for four years, before moving to Windsor Ave., where they have been since then for twenty-six years. Kayla and her siblings had worked alongside their parents from an early age. As Kayla explains it, "About ten years ago the building was remodeled in the old Dairy Bar that was self-standing." That was before the building was connected to Lilly Caterers. "We took over the ice cream business and here we are." It was through weekend visits to an ice cream shop at 139 Broad St. (now occupied by Track 139) called More Than Ice Cream, and Kyle's love of the frozen dessert, which inspired the siblings to create their own ice cream business. The Lilly Pad is very successful so far in their third summer of being open. "Business is going great! We have seen growth. We're doing even better this summer than the past two summers." They decided to close during the winter and that works fine, considering ice cream is more of a seasonal treat. It's not just hard ice cream that the Lilly Pad sells. Their menu includes daiquiris, milkshakes, specialty sundaes, sorbet, avalanche (choice of any soft serve ice cream with two toppings), and flower power (soft serve ice cream and any daiquiri flavors). They have about a dozen types of toppings too. Although the Lilly Pad does just fine with word of mouth advertising, they do like to use social media because many of their customers use it. They have Facebook and an Instagram account where you show your ice cream from the Lilly Pad and in return, you'll receive 10% off your next purchase. Their decor is pink, and with that, they serve pink soft serve ice cream. How she feels about our town? "Windsor is our home. We shop here. We live here. We work here." The Lilly family has always attended the Shad Derby. They love to go to Dom's Broad St. Eatery. The family is part of Faith Church of Hartford, which they have partnered with. Kyle is very much involved with music, whether at church or attending festivals. Three words that describe Kayla: family-oriented, optimistic, inviting |
