There’s an art to gift-giving. The best gifts are thoughtful. Really good ones are creative — they are also uniquely and practical. At the same time, the best gifts are not an appliance or something for the kitchen like that — you’ll just have to trust me.
Molly Jordan of Oh Five Scoop Shop, 1937 E. State Blvd., just might have one that checks the boxes. It’s a continual gift of ice cream with the shop’s Pint Club, offering a new treat each month.
As Cousin Eddie from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation would say: “That’s the gift that keeps on giving the whole year.”
This gift given in good taste, literally, comes regularly for six or 12 months.
Like their name suggests, Oh Five Scoop Shop serves up fresh flavors in the ‘05 ZIP code that capture your attention and imagination one dish at a time.
“All our flavors inspired it,” Jordan said of the Pint Club. “People love to try new flavors,”
It is an added push to get people out of their comfort zones by regularly offering something different.
“I have customers who say, ‘I would have never tried that flavor. I’m glad I was able to try,’” Jordan said.
It’s highlighted with flavors such as Java Chip, a coffee, chocolate, and fudge treat; French Silk, a mix of chocolate mousse and chocolate flakes; Cookies & Cream, pieces of heaven brown butter and Reese’s Pieces candy; and others, including raspberry and blueberry.
The high-quality, premium, natural ice cream is produced by the small, family-run MOO-ville Creamery and Dairy farm in Nashville, Michigan. It’s been honored twice as the best ice cream in the U.S. by the North American Ice Cream Association two years in a row.
Produced in small batches, Jordan boasts about its one-of-a-kind style: “It’s just super creamy. It’s 16 percent cream content with no high fructose sugar or things like that.”
It’s also made with A2A2 milk, a much kinder, more digestible alternative for those who have lactose sensitivity issues.
But wait, there’s more: Each month there’s a little surprise they don’t share with members until they get it. That includes their house-made waffle chips or a container of candies like M&M’s or sauce as a topping.
The deadline to start the club in January is Dec. 17.
“One thing I’ve learned about the ice cream business is that ice cream soothes the soul,” Jordan said. “We’ve had customers tell us that after their visit, it’s brightened their day. So, we hope that a sweet treat will satisfy whatever up or down a person is going through and escape for a moment to a place that soothes them.”
The Hatchery in Angola shuttering Jan. 13
A popular Angola restaurant is closing after three decades of business.
The Hatchery Restaurant, 118 S. Elizabeth St., recently announced they would wrap up operations on Jan. 13.
In a Facebook post, owners Heather and Mark Adam Meston said they would transition to ready-made meals, catering, and a food truck with Elizabeth Street Kitchen.
“Your support has meant the world to us, and we cherish these last opportunities to share this journey with our valued patrons,” the post said.
The Mestons pointed to rising costs and staffing issues as challenges. The change of focus gives them a chance to restore a “better work-life balance.”
Elizabeth Street Kitchen will operate at 118 S. Elizabeth St., but from upstairs. The new venture is focused on comfort food, soup, and baked items.
The menu will change, and all items are designed to be warmed and served at home or placed in the freezer for another time.
To make final reservations at The Hatchery, call (260) 665-9957.
Salsa Grille opens up shop in Auburn
Salsa Grille recently opened a location in Auburn at 402 Smaltz Way, just west of Interstate 69 off State Road 8.
Open from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. on Sunday, it is the fifth location for the local Mexican eatery and the first outside of Allen County.
The company has been working nearly four years to get the store opened. A Sonic occupied the space until October 2010.
Off the Eaten Path is the Whatzup weekly column that covers Northeast Indiana’s restaurant and food news. Send your news items to info@whatzup.com.
