Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream is bringing its waffle-cone aroma to downtown Kirkland, with a new scoop shop scheduled to open on April 12, 2026. The Seattle-born brand’s latest spot will bring its total to 12 locations and give the Eastside a third outpost, all in line with the company’s steady, neighborhood-first expansion strategy.
Deliberate growth on the Eastside
CEO Molly Moon Neitzel said the high-performing Bellevue and Redmond stores made Kirkland the obvious next move, according to the Puget Sound Business Journal. The outlet reports that leadership has been cautious about growth, focusing on locations that already show strong performance before committing to new scoop shops.
What the chain looks like now
The Molly Moon’s locations page currently lists 11 scoop shops across Seattle and the Eastside, which means the Kirkland opening will push the roster to an even dozen, according to Molly Moon's. The company has leaned into neighborhood hubs where demand, day-to-day operations and staffing capacity all line up.
Where the new shop will be
City planning records show Molly Moon’s has an approved plan set for a Central Way storefront, listed as 105 Central Way, Suite B, in downtown Kirkland, with a post-revision review dated Jan. 27, 2026, according to City of Kirkland permit records. The plans outline kitchen equipment and other build-out details typical of a full-service scoop shop.
Hiring and opening logistics
Local job postings for a “Seasonal Scooper, Kirkland” position indicate the shop is hiring now, with new team members set to train at nearby locations before the Kirkland store opens, according to Snagajob. Pay and scheduling details differ by listing, but the posts make it clear the company is staffing up for a spring launch.
For Kirkland, the new storefront means a fresh community-focused scoop stop and another place to chase the chain’s rotating seasonal flavors. Expect a soft morning opening and the usual launch-day crowd as neighbors line up to sample new scoops.
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