Made in Ramsey County: Minnesota Ice

Tell us about your company. How did it get started and what do you make?
Minnesota Ice began in 2013 when a college friend and I engineered an ice carving machine designed to reduce labor costs while increasing production efficiency for the sculptures we created. This innovation was transformative for our two-person team, as it allowed us to offer high-quality ice sculptures to a much broader customer base. That breakthrough created the foundation for our company’s early growth.

As business continued to flourish, my business partner chose to pursue a different path, so I began looking for new opportunities to expand Minnesota Ice. Around that time, I had the good fortune of meeting Cullen Loeffler, a former Minnesota Vikings player, who was excited about what I was building and invested in the company. His support helped drive the next phase of growth, enabling me to form partnerships with several professional sports teams here in Minnesota. It was the momentum that ultimately led to Minnesota Ice being named the official ice vendor for Super Bowl LII in 2017.

Simultaneously, Minnesota Ice launched our Pure & Clear™ cocktail ice line. Using the same premium ice reserved for sculptures, our craft cocktail cubes quickly became a favorite among bars and restaurants across the region. To keep up with demand, we moved into artisan block ice production, which also allowed for expansion into markets nationwide.

Packaged ice production soon followed, which broadened our product line beyond sculptures and specialty ice. Today, our packaged ice can be found at hundreds of gas stations and convenience stores across the greater Twin Cities, as well as at major construction sites and even in the sky with Sun Country Airlines.

The Minnesota Ice Maze, hosted at Viking Lakes in Eagan, MN, made a spectacular debut in 2023, drawing an impressive crowd of nearly 65,000 visitors. Its overwhelming success opened the door to large-scale ice events and evolved into The Minnesota Ice Festival. While the 2024 festival faced an unexpected cancellation due to unseasonably warm weather, the setback only underscored the community’s enthusiasm for the event.

Building on that momentum, The Minnesota Ice Festival returned in 2025 as a larger, more immersive winter experience featuring a Guinness World Record–setting ice maze, family-friendly activities, and the inaugural international ice carving competition, The Carver Cup, all created to celebrate Minnesota’s vibrant winter spirit.

Other successful ice events include The MN Ice Bar Series, an annual initiative that transforms Minnesota winters into opportunities for local businesses and their communities by turning outdoor spaces into lively destinations where guests can gather and celebrate the season.

Over a decade into our journey, Minnesota Ice proudly stands with a comprehensive nationwide distribution network and four key divisions: Ice Sculptures, Pure & Clear™ Cocktail Ice, Ice Events, and Packaged Ice. From a two-person start-up to an award-winning team of 60+ employees, who work tirelessly to deliver excellence across all facets of our operation, I couldn’t be more proud of what we have built together and where we’re headed in the future.

What makes your product(s) unique or notable? 
From custom ice sculptures to our Pure & Clear™ cocktail ice and events like the Minnesota Ice Festival, we approach ice as more than just a product—it’s an experience.

We’re deeply tied to the communities we serve. Whether we’re supplying hundreds of local retailers with artisan ice for cocktail enthusiasts and packaged ice for cabin getaways, designing custom sculptures for milestone celebrations, corporate events, or weddings, building family-friendly attractions and custom ice bars that celebrate Minnesota winters, or helping local bars and restaurants elevate their guests’ night out, we’re proud to create moments that are both memorable and meaningful.
What do you enjoy most about being located in Ramsey County?
We value the strong sense of support and partnership we’ve experienced since establishing our business in Saint Paul. From day one, Ramsey County has welcomed us into a community that truly champions growing businesses. Through its business development resources and continued support as we expand, the county has fostered an environment where innovation and growth can thrive. We’re proud to call Saint Paul and Ramsey County home as we continue to grow, innovate, and create new opportunities.

How does your company contribute to the local community or workforce?
The establishment of Minnesota Ice events have played a role in helping to stimulate local economies. Our events have provided a platform for local businesses to flourish during the slower winter months, which can be challenging for tourism and local commerce. These efforts have directly contributed to the creation of jobs, supporting various roles from event management and logistics to hospitality and retail within their communities.

By supplying local bars, restaurants, and venues with crystal-clear, slow-melting Pure & Clear™ ice, we’ve helped elevate cocktail programs by enhancing drinks visually, preserving flavor profiles, and reducing dilution so bartenders and mixologists can better control volumes and consistency. In turn, this has given establishments a way to deliver premium experiences to their guests while managing costs more effectively.

Ice sculptures don’t just elevate an event, they also provide opportunities for the businesses that create or serve those events. From wedding planners and caterers to venues, beverage providers, and event designers, our sculptures and drink luges act as premium add-ons that help these professionals offer couples and clients something unique and unforgettable.

For weddings, a custom sculpture or drink luge can transform a cocktail hour or reception into a one-of-a-kind experience that guests talk about long after the celebration ends. For social and corporate events, sculptures serve as memorable focal points, interactive stations, and branding opportunities that enhance the overall experience while increasing the perceived value of the event. By partnering with Minnesota Ice, planners, venues, and hospitality professionals can differentiate their services, delight their customers, and grow their own business through unique and impactful experiences.

What’s something people might be surprised to learn about your company or product?
Minnesota Ice ships nationwide! From New York to Los Angeles, Chicago to Florida, and everywhere in between, our premium cocktail ice and crystal-clear ice blocks are delivered to bars, restaurants, and events across the U.S.