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Sweet Memories ice cream parlor generates recollections of old times sometimes forgotten
Pleasant memories are precious, and whenever we are reminded of them it’s always a pleasing experience.
Pleasant memories are precious, and whenever we are reminded of them it’s always a pleasing experience.
That’s why Sweet Memories, an old fashioned, hand-dipped ice cream parlor located at 4458 Woodbine Road in Pace, is becoming so popular among all the “out and about,” active groups as well as for those youngsters who are just looking for a tasty treat!
Sweet Memories came about as the result of Owner, Stephanie Shively’s exploration of ideas concerning some type of business venture that would be both interesting as well as profitable to a degree. Too, she was looking for something that she could become totally involved in, “hands-on.”
Remembering how important ice cream was in her childhood and how universally it is regarded as a treat, she decided that an ice cream parlor would be perfect. She could manage it and enjoy it as a family oriented adventure at the same time.
“I grew up in New Hampshire where ice cream was, for the most part, a seasonable offering,” Stephanie said. “But down here the seasons are mild and ice cream seems to be a year-round treat. Eating ice cream year round would be OK.”
She was lucky to find a building that just suited her vision of a large, roomy area that might become a gathering place, a “hang-out” area, so to speak, where youngsters could come after school and enjoy themselves, but where adults would be welcome and comfortable as well.
The building located at 4458 Woodbine Road, tucked neatly into a “pocket” between Gunner’s Jewelry and Professional Family Hair Design, seems to have been designed especially for her, she says. The first floor houses the ice cream dispensing facilities at one end and a large area on the other end furnished with comfortable furniture that would make anyone want to stay for a while.
Stairs lead to a second floor that consists of one large room that Stephanie says is perfect for birthday parties or other medium sized gatherings in a private setting. The upstairs room can be decorated and furnished to suite the designated occasion. It can be reached from either the interior or exterior, for both convenience and safety. The room is available on a reservation basis, and can be rented for a reasonable fee.
And incidentally, if the room is booked during the month of August, for any date, there will be a 10 percent discount. No matter what the engagement date, just that the booking be in August is the basis for the discount. You can reach Sweet Memories at (850) 995-4999 or access its web site at sweetmemoriesice@yahoo.com on your computer.
The porch is positively a homey area as well furnished with rocking chairs and furniture that would be comfortable in most any season. There are also outdoor picnic tables on the lawn for those who like to be closer to the outdoors!
But the physical facilities are hardly half of the draw! Ice cream comes from Schoep’s, a Wisconsin firm, and is offered in such flavors as Coffee, Bubble Gum, Strawberry Shortcake, Superman, Rocky Road, Butter Pecan, Vanilla, Mint Chocolate Chip, Snickers, Moose Tracks, and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, among others. And that’s not to mention Rainbow Sherbet.
Stephanie says that a lot of people just stop in for a cone of a hand-dipped flavor on their way somewhere else, or stop and relax a while in the comfortable setting while they enjoy it.
And although the business is relatively new, Stephanie says the word is out and more and more people are discovering and enjoying the “ice cream” home. The ice cream and the various treats available seem to engage the interest of an enlarging group.
She also acknowledges the help and encouragement of her family in the small business venture. Her husband, Scott, is a Marine Corps Captain and a pilot instructor at NAS Whiting Field, and has been instrumental in assisting her in the businesses establishment.
They have three daughters who are also eager to help. They are Courtney, a 9th grader at Pace High School, Carlie, a 7th grader at Semms Middle School, and Emiley, a 3rd grader at Dixon Elementary. “They’re all in it with me and give me all the support I could possibly expect,” she said.
Other attractive features of the premises at Sweet Memories are the bulletin board that welcomes your business card for networking purposes and the Wi-Fi hot spot designation for those who want to come and bring their computer.
Emily says she is open to suggestions from the community on other offerings that might be incorporated into the business later. She’s a very approachable individual and would love to meet you!
It’s just a hop, skip, and jump up Woodbine Road from Highway 90, and you’ll be happy with what you find there, she says. There’s plenty of parking space, and the hospitality is inviting. Make it a point to see for yourselves!
