FAIRHAVEN — After years of planning, delays, and a decades-long dream, McGraw’s Back Porch Ice Cream (MBPIC) has officially opened its doors at Lifestyles Plaza in Fairhaven. Today marks the long-awaited soft opening for the homemade ice cream shop, which has been a passion project for Matt and Sharon McGraw.
The couple, who has been talking about opening their own ice cream shop for over 30 years, is thrilled to see their vision come to life. While MBPIC was initially slated to open earlier this year, a series of delays pushed the grand opening back. Despite the setbacks, the McGraws are excited to begin serving their signature ice cream to the local community.
A Dream Decades in the Making
Matt, a retired Mattapoisett police officer, and Sharon, who works in the facilities department of a local private school, have been making ice cream as a family tradition for years. Matt, who started making ice cream at the age of 15, has spent over three decades perfecting his recipes. He would often hand out batches to family and friends, who urged him to open his own shop.
The idea of MBPIC was so ingrained in the McGraws’ lives that Matt even had the vanity plate “MBPIC” on his vehicles for over 20 years before the business even existed. The name, which stands for McGraw’s Back Porch Ice Cream, was inspired by family gatherings at Matt’s childhood home, where they would pass around homemade ice cream through the back porch window.
“We always said, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice to have a little back porch setting?’” Sharon recalled.
Finding the Right Location
In 2006, the McGraws had considered Lifestyles Plaza as a possible location for their shop, but it wasn’t until Matt’s retirement from the police force three years ago that they seriously began their search. This past April, the couple signed the lease for the space and began working to bring their dream to life. Although they had hoped to open in time for the summer season, the delays worked out for the best, as they now plan to be open year-round, starting with Thursday through Sunday hours from noon to 8 p.m.
The Menu: A Focus on Homemade Ice Cream
MBPIC is centered around one thing: high-quality homemade ice cream. The McGraws have chosen not to offer food or candy, instead focusing on crafting a selection of flavors made from a commercial base, which Matt then customizes with his own chocolate and flavorings.
The shop will feature ten standard flavors and six rotating seasonal options, with new flavors announced on social media regularly. While the McGraws are not jumping on the trend of extreme or novelty flavors, they aim to deliver classic, well-made ice cream. Matt, a purist at heart, believes that if you get the vanilla right, everything else falls into place.
In addition to their ice cream, the shop will also serve frappes, sorbets, and other non-dairy options. One unique offering will be the “Ice Cream Flight,” where customers can sample up to six different flavors, similar to a tasting experience at a restaurant.
A Warm, Nostalgic Atmosphere
The decor of McGraw’s Back Porch Ice Cream evokes the warmth and charm of a family gathering, with vintage touches like antique rug beaters and a retro Coca-Cola machine. Some of the baskets hanging inside the shop were even borrowed from Matt’s mother’s collection, adding a personal touch to the space. The couple hopes the shop will be more than just a place to grab ice cream—it’s meant to be a destination where people can enjoy a sense of community and nostalgia.
“We’re trying to create an experience,” Matt said. “It’s a place where you can come, sit down, and enjoy the ice cream and the atmosphere.”
Looking Forward to the Future
As the soft opening begins, the McGraws are eager to welcome customers, though they admit to some nervous anticipation about the potential rush. “My biggest concern is handling the crowd,” Matt said. “We could get swamped, or it could trickle in, but I’m most worried about running out of ice cream.”
Though they had initially considered waiting until Thanksgiving to open, the excitement in the community made it clear that the time had come to start serving. Sharon added, “People have been so excited. We just couldn’t wait any longer.”
With their ice cream now available to the public, the McGraws are ready to share their long-time passion with the Fairhaven community. The couple’s journey, which began more than three decades ago, has finally reached its sweet conclusion.
McGraw’s Back Porch Ice Cream is open Thursday through Sunday, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Lifestyles Plaza in Fairhaven.
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