Whidbey Island Ice Cream Co. has new owners.

Steve and Jill Rosen, who own several business in Freeland and the Seattle area, scooped up the creamery in a deal finalized late last month.

The ice cream company, founded in 2005, was put up for sale months ago by the previous owners, Ron and Florence Hecker.

The Rosens have a background in the restaurant and food industry. They also own Freeland’s Rocket Taco and next-door ice cream joint Freeland Freeze, as well as Elemental Pizza locations in Seattle and Tacoma.

The Rosens also started Seattle’s Blue C Sushi, which they later sold.

“When we decided to open Freeland Freeze, we taste-tested all the available ice creams for distribution that we could get our hands on,” Steve Rosen said. “We just liked Whidbey Island Ice Cream the best, flavor and texture-wise.

“We then heard the owners were looking to step away from the business and saw an opportunity.”

Under the new ownership, Whidbey Island Ice Cream Co. won’t change its product, said manager Will Turner. The ice cream itself will stay the same.

Changes to ordering, delivery methods and the company’s online presence are likely, Turner said.

“We’re implementing new programs to the business side,” Turner said. “We’re bringing the company into the 21st century by streamlining the delivery process and adding social media, online ordering and things like that.”

For the Rosens, purchasing Whidbey Island Ice Cream Co. is a step toward “doubling down” on Whidbey Island. Having lived on South Whidbey for nine years, they recently sought to acquire more businesses on the island and fewer in the Seattle area.

Kyle Jensen / The Record — Whidbey Island Ice Cream employee Joe Valencia prepares to put sticks in the company’s ice cream bars before they freeze.