Although temperatures are expected to stay in the lower to mid-40s over the next few days, a handful of ice cream lovers in the Stateline Area are already enjoying the sweet treat of the season.
M&M Dari Ripple in South Beloit kicked off its season during the last week of March, much to the delight of its customers. “It was a great weekend for ice cream,” said Alicia Peterson, co-owner of Dari Ripple. “This part of the year really depends on the weather, but we had pretty steady customers.”
Dari Ripple, a staple in the community since 1952, is offering some new menu items this year. Peterson shared that the stand now serves State Fair Mini Donuts and has even created a State Fair Mini Donut Sundae. Another new addition is the Purple People Eater Sundae, a tribute to Chester “Chet” Strasser, a former Rockford firefighter and long-time Dari Ripple customer who passed away on December 31. The sundae, named after Strasser’s favorite song, “The Purple People Eater,” will raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Association in his honor.
Dari Ripple wasn’t the first seasonal ice cream stand to open this year. Meggy Moo’s Dairy Ripple in Walworth and the Darien Ice Cream Shoppe both opened their doors on March 21.
While some stands are opening for the season, Dairyhaus in Rockton has become an all-year operation, supplying its ice cream to local grocery stores like Bountiful Beloit and Woodman’s Food Market. Dairyhaus co-owner Brent Murray said that while the business operates year-round, it celebrated its official “opening day” on Friday, marking the transition to its spring and summer hours.
The Shopiere Soda Shop & Ice Cream Bar, located at 5218 E. County Road J, is still operating on its winter schedule, open only on Fridays. It will expand its hours in May.
For residents in the Brodhead area, they’ll have to wait a little longer. Tastee Creme at 208 First Center Ave. typically doesn’t open until mid-April.
While some ice cream stands have already opened for the season, others are gearing up to serve customers as temperatures begin to warm up. Ice cream lovers in the Stateline Area can look forward to more options as the season unfolds.
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