NORWICH – Alex and Katie Ives have finally completed one of the biggest accomplishments of their lives. Now it’s time for them to let the community enjoy their creation.
With the opening of their new creamery, Ives Cream Parlor and Gourmet Coffee Shop is the newest spot in downtown Norwich to enjoy freshly made ice cream.
But it’s more than just ice cream to the Ives family. It’s all about the experience.
“I want you my customers to get more than just good ice cream,” Katie Ives said. “I want you to experience the past.”
The parlor, located on 10 S. Broad St., will serve ice cream made on site and gourmet coffee in a home-style atmosphere that is sure to spark up conversation. Designed with milk can tables, authentic posts and beams, hand made table tops, hard wood floors, and hay chutes, it’s almost like taking a step back in time.
“In this day and age of cell phones, Internet, and iPods, we are so over communicated that we wanted to offer a haven taking you back to simpler times,” Katie Ives said. “We want to bring families in and have them experience our family heritage and history through our family photos on the walls, and remind you of the simple life.”
Although the sit down and eat scoop shop offers friendly service and a farm-like decor, getting there wasn’t easy. The Ives’ said it took nearly 12 months of hard work, planning, and dedication, and without the help of certain others, their dream would not be complete. People such as Peter Ciaravino of Strategic Advantage, Clyde Birch at NBT, Maureen Carpenter of the Chenango County Chamber of Commerce, and Penny Bartlow of PKB Designs have been “a godsend” to the Ives family. Their cousin Mindy Ives, who is working toward her nursing degree, is the one who will greet incoming traffic with a smile.
“This community has been wonderful,” Katie Ives said. “We have been welcomed by this city by everyone, and we are very thankful for that.”
Katie and Alex also said they were shocked at how many people came in just to help clean and organize for the Ives’ first day, which was Saturday, June 10.
“Maureen Carpenter and Liz (Bunce) of Cornell Cooperative Extension came in on Friday and just worked for hours, cleaning and helping us get the last minute things done, and have been stopping in throughout the process,” Katie Ives said. “It’s just been amazing.”
The Ives’ said their ice cream shop has more to come, including a viewing room for customers to watch how the ice cream is made, a party/banquet room for private use, cappuccinos and lattes.
Further future plans include expanding into other areas.
“We want to get the system down to be duplicable and eventually franchise,” Katie Ives said. “Because I know we have a great product.”
For more information, stop in to 10 S. Broad St. to see the Ives and sample all that they have to offer, call 336-9393, or log onto www.ivescream.biz.