From Long Island to Sedona
We're Paul and Erin, and this is our story. We both grew up on Long Island, born just weeks apart in December 1972, and met at work in 1991 while going to college. In August 1997 we packed up and moved to Sedona for the first time — and we fell completely in love with it. The red rocks, the weather, the tight-knit community, the feeling that life could be a little slower and a lot more beautiful. We stayed for two years before life pulled us back to New York, where we married in 2002 and started our family, welcoming our son Ryan in 2003 and our daughter Paige in 2005. But Sedona never left our minds.
Chasing the Dream
For years we talked about going back — and this time, making it permanent. We knew we wanted to build something of our own, and an ice cream shop felt like the perfect fit. Paul threw himself into learning the craft, taking classes, developing recipes, and spending countless hours making batches at home until he got it just right. By July 2016 the plan was set. We resigned from our careers, sold our house, packed up the kids, the pets, and everything we owned — and drove across the country to start our new life.
The Name & The Shop
When it came time to name the shop, Rocky RD felt like the perfect fit. There's the obvious nod to everyone's favorite ice cream flavor, of course — but it also felt deeply connected to Sedona, a place defined by its beautiful, winding rocky roads that lead to adventure around every turn. Erin designed our logo to look like a street sign, and we had the actual shop sign manufactured that way too. The whole shop carries a Road Trip theme, tying our name to the spirit of Northern Arizona exploration. Erin personally drew up all the construction plans and designed the interior to feel like an old fashioned ice cream parlor — think antique mirrors, stained glass, and a marble countertop we built ourselves.
Paul's Craft
Paul's passion for ice cream runs deep. He prides himself on using the freshest ingredients — sourced locally whenever possible — with no added preservatives or artificial colorings. Every flavor is made in small batches and flash frozen to lock in freshness, giving you the creamiest, most flavorful ice cream we know how to make. Our son Ryan has also joined us in the kitchen, carrying on the craft and helping keep up with demand. Paul and Ryan are in the shop every single day, crafting new seasonal flavors and experimenting with new ideas — while our wonderful staff takes care of welcoming every guest who walks through the door.
Rocky RD Ice Cream Co. opened on
May 7, 2017
A Second Location
Sedona had embraced us so warmly that we knew we wanted to grow. In September 2020 we opened our second location at Harkins Plaza in West Sedona — a larger space with a bigger kitchen, giving Paul and Ryan even more room to do what they love. We are so grateful for the support of this community, and we look forward to serving you at both locations for years to come.
See Us in Action
The Collective Sedona — Rocky RD Ice Cream Co.