Popular ice cream shop opens: Free ice cream at Aalborg launch

Anyone who has visited Løkken during peak summer season probably already knows exactly what Iskompagniet is — and why the place has become such a success.

Since 2013, Michael Lønstrup has been running the ice cream shop, which has since expanded into several locations.

Now it is Aalborg’s turn, as Iskompagniet opens a brand-new store on Tuesday in the premises on Slotsgade — a location that has previously also housed an ice cream shop.

The opening will be celebrated with free ice cream from 10 AM to 4 PM, where guests can enjoy two scoops of their choice.

The offer is available until 4 PM — or until they sell out.

A Broken Arm Led to Ice Cream

MigogAalborg visited Løkken to meet the man behind the company and revisit the shop that inspired the upcoming Aalborg location.

Behind Iskompagniet is Michael Lønstrup, who certainly did not grow up in the ice cream business.

Instead, he originally worked as a self-employed bricklayer from the age of 23 — until a broken arm during a skiing holiday forced him to rethink his future.

And for Michael Lønstrup, there has never been far from idea to action.

“I lived in Copenhagen and noticed how gelato suddenly started popping up everywhere. At the time, that kind of ice cream didn’t really exist in Northern Jutland, and that gave me an idea,” he explains.

Michael had previously lived in Switzerland with two Italians, and after a quick phone call to one of them, he soon found himself heading to Italy.

There, he trained in the art of making authentic gelato.

That was the beginning of his life as an ice cream maker.

Italy Meets Northern Jutland

Today, Iskompagniet still builds on traditional Italian methods — but with a distinctly North Jutland twist.

The milk-based ice cream is made using fresh farm milk from local cows, while the cream-based varieties are produced with Jersey milk.

According to Michael Lønstrup, the ingredients are gently pasteurized, and the ambition is to keep production as simple and natural as possible.

That is also the reason why Iskompagniet products are not available in supermarkets.

Michael explains that he has previously been in dialogue with retail chains, but their demand for longer shelf life clashed with the company’s philosophy.

For him, freshness comes first.

“That’s simply how I’ve chosen to do things.

We care deeply about natural ingredients, less sugar, and maintaining a high-quality product all the way through,” he says.

From the West Coast to Aalborg

Until now, most Iskompagniet locations have been placed in tourist towns — but now the concept is ready to test itself in Aalborg.

“I don’t actually think Aalborg has that many ice cream shops, so my first thought was that there was room for us too,” he says.

“I also deliberately chose Slotsgade so we wouldn’t be located too close to the others.

I have great respect for the work already being done with ice cream in the city,” he adds.

Barista Coffee for Just DKK 25

The new store will also offer far more than just ice cream.

Michael Lønstrup roasts his own coffee beans, and the Aalborg shop will serve barista coffee alongside the ice cream menu.

The coffee story is almost as unexpected as the ice cream journey itself.

A coffee roasting company that had previously supplied him with beans reached a crossroads, and when the owners no longer had time to continue operating the business, Michael ended up buying both the company and the roasting equipment himself.

“I care a lot about our coffee, which we roast ourselves and which is also fair trade. Even so, we’ll still be pricing a great barista coffee at around DKK 25,” he says.

The Aalborg location will offer a broad selection of ice cream flavors.

Alongside the classics, guests can also expect experimental creations, vegan sorbets, and sugar-free options.

The common denominator is that as much as possible will be made from scratch locally in Aalborg.

“I hope the people of Aalborg will welcome us warmly and be excited to discover what Italian and North Jutland ice cream can taste like together,” he concludes.

You can try Iskompagniet’s ice cream for free on Tuesday from 10 AM to 4 PM — or until there is none left.