Mark your calendars and tell your sweet tooth.
Independent ice cream and custard stands sprinkled around the Alle-Kiski Valley are prepping for their upcoming sweet season — with opening dates set.
“The first sunny day in winter I have people asking us to open,” says Ice Cream Pump owner Cindy Hunt. “We actually open in mid-April because I only use Titusville 10% mix from Turner’s.”
Hunt says the high-fat butter content makes for a richer and better ice cream product at her Gilpin-based shop attached to Hilltop Gas, which she opened in 2004.
If you just can’t wait, satisfy your custard cravings now at Jerry’s Custard in Lower Burrell — it opened March 1.
In Allegheny Township, Kelsey Sofaly has been cleaning in the kitchen at Sweetie’s Ice Cream as they prepare for a March 19 opening.
“People are always asking for our on-site homemade waffle cones,” Sofaly says. “We can go through 100 of those on a Saturday.”
Sweetie’s manager Jenny King says customer anticipation has been building.
“Opening day is big. They can’t wait. Especially with this mild winter. We opened on April 1 last year, but this year it’s earlier. We always have a lot of regulars and they like to mingle since we have a park-like setting here for gathering and staying to eat,” King says.
The oldest custard shop in the AK-Valley, Glen’s, has remained in operation since 1948 after opening in Springdale.
Set to open March 12 at both their Springdale and Lower Burrell locations, owner and fourth-generation custard king Eli Wilson closely guards the top secret family custard recipe, created by his great-great-grandfather and founder, Glen Wilson.
“I’ve had people offer me money for the recipe. I won’t speak. It’s more to me than money. It’s my heritage,” Wilson says.
Wilson says opening day is “crazy” but in a good way.
“Everyone is happy,” he says, even referencing past wedding proposals and engagements at Glen’s, complete with photos and free custard.
At Glen’s, chocolate wins the custard sales competition. Hard scoop ice cream wins over soft serve at Sweetie’s, according to owner Ed Spix.
“It’s 2-to-1 with that. We offer a large portion with our large hard ice cream cone weighing in at 12-15 ounces,” says Spix, a Pittsburgh native and veteran of the ice cream industry.
“Customers are nostalgic about their ice cream around here and they are waiting for us to open.”
