Del's Plum Creamery marks a year of serving community

With the start of summer, thoughts often turn to ice cream.

And Del’s Plum Creamery is ready to tempt taste buds with frozen treats.

The latest business to open as part of the revitalization of the once-deteroriating Unity Plaza, Del’s has been in operation since May 31, 2021, and is owned by husband and wife Eric and Staci DelMastro.

“My husband has always wanted to open an ice cream shop. He loves Perry’s Ice Cream,” Staci said about the popular New York-based brand. “He’s loved it since he was a kid.”

The plan is to run the shop as a side business until the two retire. They want Del’s Creamery to become a family business, passing it along to their children.

“Basically, it’s for our future and our retirement,” said Staci. “And we wanted something fun because we both have professional, serious jobs.”

A chiropractor, Staci owns and operates Unity Chiropractic Center, which is right next door to the shop, and Eric is an electrical engineer.

They chose the location because Staci also owns the building in which it is located. The space previously held an insurance agency, but the lease expired, leaving Staci without a commercial tennant during the covid-19 pandemic.

The business has exceeded expectations for the DelMastros, who view it as more than just the side business they expected it to be. Part of that is due to the community engagement they try to have on social meda. Staci said she wants the shop to be viewed as Plum’s ice cream shop, and has tried to name the flavors to reflect that.

In fact, it was the community who decided on the name “Del’s.” Staci aksed for suggestions and landed on three final choices, and a vote took place on social media. She painted her shop purple, the color of the local school district, and has hired students from the area.

“What we’ve seen is that (the shop) has brought families together. It’s brought children together. It’s brought people in on foot,” she said. “It’s brought friendships together. We’ve made tons of friends through the ice cream shop. It’s Plum.”