Seattle’s Central District has a new gem bringing sweet Black joy to the community. PJ’s Classic Homemade Ice Cream and Bon Bons, co-owned by sisters Michelle and Danielle Forbes, is rooted in family legacy, love, and tradition.

Founded in 2011 in Los Angeles, PJ’s recently opened at 2334 E Cherry St, paying homage to their mother’s Seattle roots. Their menu features hand-dipped bon bons with both vegan and dairy options, crafted from scratch with locally sourced, organic ingredients.

“What brings me here is our mom,” Michelle shared. Their mother attended Garfield High School, and their grandmother was Garfield’s head dietitian. “It only felt right, and it feels good to be here,” she added.

The shop’s name honors their father, affectionately called Papa John. His homemade "Southern Style vanilla" recipe is a family favorite — a rich, creamy flavor that Michelle says “takes you back to your childhood.”

At PJ’s, everything is made with care. “Everything we do is done in love,” Michelle said, inspired by 1 Corinthians 16:14. That love shows in their detailed process, from cracking eggs to hand-dipping each bon bon.

Their signature “QB’s Nana Split” bon bon — vegan banana ice cream with marshmallow fluff, dipped in dark chocolate, and topped with peanuts, pecans, and cherries — is a must-try. “It’s fire, fire, fire!” Michelle exclaimed.

Beyond desserts, PJ’s envisions becoming a community hub, offering programs to teach students about entrepreneurship. “We want them to take away a sense of home, familiarity, and belonging,” Michelle said.

As Michelle beautifully summed it up: “Black joy is unconditional love.”

📍 Visit PJ’s at 2334 E Cherry St, Seattle, WA.

📲 Follow them on Instagram @PJsClassicCreamery.