DENHAM SPRINGS — When Tim and Tasha Levert set out to open Mustard Seed Creamery, they envisioned more than just an ice cream shop. They wanted a space where people could slow down, connect, and make memories, without having to leave town.
“We wanted to create a third space,” Tim Levert said. “Not home, not work, but a place where people could gather, share a meal, enjoy live music, and build friendships.”
That community-centered vision shaped what Mustard Seed Creamery would become: an ice cream parlor that expanded to offer food, drinks, and events, with a focus on being a safe, welcoming space for families and neighbors. Since opening, the downtown Denham Springs business has hosted everything from birthday parties and baby showers to a marriage proposal and a child’s first scoop of ice cream.
But the Leverts found themselves at the center of an unexpected controversy last year, when the Denham Springs City Council declined to renew their alcohol permit due to concerns over religious services held in the same space on Sundays.
Tim Levert explained that the business originally operated under the legal name "Denham Springs Church Project," doing business as Mustard Seed Creamery. He said that before opening, they consulted with the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) to ensure compliance with state law, which prohibits the sale of alcohol within 300 feet of a building used exclusively as a church.
After multiple conversations with state officials, the Leverts were assured they met the criteria to receive a state permit.
“We walked the ATC through our entire model, and they said we were good to go,” Levert said.
The business was initially granted a city liquor license in a 5-0 vote. However, after local media coverage highlighted the Creamery’s dual purpose, operating as a restaurant and gathering space during the week, and hosting religious services on Sundays, the city reversed its stance.
According to the Leverts, a letter from city officials stated the business “transforms into a church on Sundays,” which they were told violated the city’s ordinance. They noted that the Denham Springs ordinance differs from state law in this area and that they were unaware of the distinction prior to the decision.
Despite the setback, the Leverts remain committed to their vision and the community that has embraced them.
“We want to be a place that feels safe for families and individuals,” Tasha Levert said. “The sweetest thing in the room isn’t the ice cream. It’s the spirit of the place.”
The couple emphasized that while their Christian faith is part of who they are, they’re not trying to impose it on anyone.
“Our heart is to love God and love people and to do that through our business,” she added.
They also spoke about the unexpected support and collaboration they've received from other local businesses and hope to continue growing those partnerships.
“We love Louisiana. We love Denham Springs,” Tasha said. “When kids leave for college and come home, we want this to be a place they return to, a place they remember and share.”
The future of Mustard Seed Creamery may still involve navigating city regulations, but for the Leverts, the mission remains the same: build a space where people feel welcome, valued, and connected.
