origin story
cone•cept began the way many design projects do: with inspiration striking at 3am and the sketch of a logo on the back of a napkin. Our team is comprised of three architects and designers, trained to think about space, form, and detail—and one finance guru sure to keep our ambitions aligned with reality. Together, we saw an opening for something missing in East Nashville—a sweet shop as thoughtfully designed as the buildings and objects we spent our careers shaping.
The name itself is a nod to the way ideas take form. In architecture, a concept is the seed of every project, the distillation of intent into something clear and buildable. In ice cream, the cone is the simplest, most joyful expression of the treat. Put together, cone•cept is about pairing design thinking with the everyday delight of soft serve. It is rooted in equal parts academic ambition and levity—with which our slogan “seriously playful” was conceived. .
our mission
cone•cept exists to maintain a welcoming environment firmly rooted in its community, where guests can look forward to an elevated, but approachable, experience. We believe consistency is what builds trust; therefore, we deliver the same high standard of quality, service, and care for every guest, every time. Through a simple, thoughtfully designed menu and an experience shaped by small, nostalgic details we seek to create the most memorable few minutes in someone’s day.
core values
Consistency is Craft
We believe the true mark of quality is repeatability. We are striving to be as good on a rainy Tuesday in October as we are on a busy Friday night in July.
Small Moment, Lasting Impression
Our product is simple, but the experience is layered. We design each visit to be a bright, memorable pause—something that lingers well beyond the swirl.
Seriously Playful
We don’t take ourselves seriously, but we take the work seriously. Joy requires effort. Whimsy requires rigor.
