Freshly churned gelato and seasonal ingredients are on the menu. Photo: Spilt Milk Bar Dickson.
Spilt Milk gelato bar in Dickson is looking to rebrand with a focus on Canberra and the community. And they need your help!
Omer Siddiq bought Spilt Milk gelato bar in Dickson in 2023 simply because he loves gelato. But he quickly realised that he wasn’t really selling gelato at all: he was selling happiness.
“I’m in the business of selling smiles more than the business of selling food,” Omer told Region.
“At Patty Smith’s [Omer’s other business], we’re making a burger as quick as we can to satisfy your hunger. But you don’t need gelato: you get a scoop to make you feel good.”
Omer Siddiq wants your help to rename Spilt Milk. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
In addition to selling his gelato, Omer has focused on giving back to the community. He’s donated ice cream to school events, raised funds for local charities and collaborated with small businesses.
Spilt Milk Dickson looks different from when he first took it on, and Omer has decided it needs a name that reflects that change.
“The new brand is to solidify where we want to be as a business. We’ve done a lot of work behind the scenes about getting involved with the local community, and I want the new brand to embody that,” he said.
A new name will also clarify that the Dickson store is independently owned and operated from the original Spilt Milk store in Orange, NSW. And it doesn’t hurt that it will also clear up any confusion with the popular music festival of the same name.
The Dickson shop is a favourite after-work spot for locals, but it needs a new name! Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Canberrans now have the opportunity to put their creative talents to work and come up with a new name for the store. Customers are encouraged to add their suggestions in the comments of a Spilt Milk Instagram post. The team will also take down the details of any ideas in store at Dickson.
Omer will sift through the comments and suggestions to choose the name he thinks best suits the community vision of the gelato bar. The good news? The winner will receive a free year’s supply of gelato!
“We’re going to give the winner a 1.5-litre tub for free, every week for a year: that’s 15-odd scoops a week!
“I just thought it was a fun thing to do: how cool would it be for a local to be able to say ‘I named that store!’?”
In future, the rebranded gelato bar will pursue more local connections with other businesses, suppliers and community organisations.
“The product will still be brilliant! People are coming back because they love the product and it puts a smile on their face,” Omer said.
“When you work with local bakeries, you know it’s been baked that day! I think the gelato will be even better.”
Spilt Milk is located at Unit 70/2 Cape St, Dickson. Follow Spilt Milk on Instagram, and comment your idea for a name before 13 February.
