Zoar Creamery may be the coolest spot in the village
Daren Maurer is hoping to attract more than the Zoar tourists to the ice cream parlor by being open year round, seven days a week from noon to 8 p.m.
There’s a new shop in Zoar. It doesn’t sell antiques or collectibles, though. The Zoar Creamery sells homemade, hand-dipped ice cream in many flavors.
Located at 151 First St. behind the old Zoar Hotel, the Zoar Creamery is a dream come true for owner Daren Maurer.
“I was a teacher for 33 years, and I just retired last year,” he said. “But ever since I was a little kid, I thought having an ice cream shop would be neat.”
This is the second ice cream business opened by Maurer, who also owns Dover Softies.
The building where the Zoar Creamery is located has been owned for several years by the Zoar Community Association. Maurer had been in talks with Jon Elsasser, ZCA president, so when remodeling of the building was completed this spring, Maurer was ready to move in.
Maurer is hoping to attract more than the Zoar tourists to the ice cream parlor by being open year round, seven days a week from noon to 8 p.m.
“We want to be a place where visitors and residents can come in and get something quickly to do or to eat here,” Maurer said. “We may add some coffee drinks in the fall when the weather cools down.”
Fun flavors
Ice cream flavors at the Zoar Creamery aren’t necessarily those that can be found in many places. Lake Erie Salt Mine is a sea salt caramel ice cream run through with ripples of sea salt fudge and dotted with whole, roasted, salted cashews.
“I brought in White House ice cream because my dad wanted me to get it, but it ran out in two days,” Maurer said.
Customers also can get Coconut Avalanche, loaded with chocolate chips and almonds; Blue Moon, a mellow mixed fruit flavor; and Fat Elvis, a sweet and creamy banana ice cream laced with salty peanut butter ripple and chocolate chips.
For those who favor the lighter texture and lower milk fat of soft serve, Zoar Creamery also offers that in chocolate, vanilla and twist.
Maurer said he plans to keep nondairy and no-sugar-added options on hand. But when it comes to the flavors, he wants to change them up from time to time to keep the menu fresh.
All ice cream at the Zoar Creamery is made by Country Parlour Ice Cream in North Royalton. According to the company’s website, they use only grade A milk and cream with no added growth hormones or antibiotics.
Country Parlour Ice Cream provides ice cream and other frozen treats to ice cream shops and restaurants throughout the Northeast Ohio region.
The store manager for Zoar Creamery is Abby Ice, who said her favorite flavor so far is the Peanut Butter Pretzel. “But it runs out quickly,” she said.
According to Ice, the creamery has already attracted quite a few regular customers. About working at an ice cream shop, Ice said, “I like working somewhere that is going to make people happy. No one’s really angry when they come to get ice cream. They are always in a good mood.”
Other cool treats
Customers who want something a little more than just an ice cream cone have a number of options. The Zoarnado is a blizzard-like concoction in flavors like Butterfinger, cookie dough, hot fudge brownie and banana wafer.
Settlers Sundaes include flavors ranging from butterscotch and chocolate marshmallow to strawberry, butter pecan and peanut butter, featuring the shop’s homemade peanut butter sauce.
Customers also will find crowd favorites like ice cream floats, milkshakes and banana splits. Even dogs can get a pup cup.
Zoar Creamery also offers a number of hot food options, like hot dogs, homemade coney sauce walking tacos, homemade creamed chicken sandwiches, nachos and footlongs.
All these goodies can be eaten at a table inside the shop or while relaxing on a rocking chair outside.
Visit the Zoar Creamery on Facebook or call 330-340-9925.