Salt Spring Ice Cream recently opened its doors in Downtown Sanford, drawing a crowd of about 100 people for its ribbon-cutting ceremony, one of the largest in the village’s history.
Owner Bridgit Sova, also a Dow High special education teacher, expressed her excitement for the business, which blends her love of plants and ice cream. The name Salt Spring pays homage to Sanford’s early history as Salt Spring Reserve.
Located at 319 W. Saginaw Road, the shop occupies a 30-by-40-foot building with a rich history, previously serving as a post office, doctor’s office, and insurance offices before sitting vacant for many years.
The shop aims to revitalize the village, especially after the May 2020 flood, while satisfying the community’s craving for ice cream. Salt Spring offers Ashby’s and Guernsey ice creams in various forms such as soft serve, malts, shakes, flurries, and sundaes.
Specialty children’s sundaes, including themes like sharks, baseball, gardens, and princesses, are also available. Plus, there are plants for sale, reflecting Sova’s passion for plants and providing mental relief. The shop provides indoor and outdoor seating, as well as access to the Pere Marquette Rail Trail behind the shop.
Sanford Village President Dolores Porte expressed gratitude for the investment in the village, noting the community’s desire for an ice cream shop and the warm reception from visitors. The shop’s opening marks a new chapter for Sanford, offering both sweet treats and a gathering place for locals and visitors alike.
