Craig and Kelly Smith have revitalized one of Route 224’s oldest buildings by transforming it into Sweet Smitty’s, an ice cream shop that offers a variety of unique flavors and trains local youth as “cone artists.”
Craig Smith, an entrepreneur and owner of OSV Studios in North Olmsted, had been seeking to buy an ice cream shop for 15 years. In 2018, he stumbled upon Olivia’s in Willard, Huron County, and was impressed by their peanut butter milkshake. Noticing the shop was for sale, the Smiths quickly purchased and rebranded it.
Craig, known as “Smitty,” and Kelly, nicknamed “Sweet,” have turned their new venture into a community hub. “We always thought it would be fun to own an ice cream stand,” Kelly said. “It’s our new baby, so to speak.”
Kelly plays a crucial role in running the shop during the summer, while Craig focuses on bringing the best of the ice cream industry to their small community of about 6,000 people. The shop’s business varies with the weather and tourism, attracting regulars heading to Cedar Point or Lake Erie islands.
Opening weekends, the last day of school, and new product launches are among Kelly’s favorite times at the shop. “I love watching families and friends gather on our patio to enjoy company and food and make memories,” she said.
Originally built as Lee’s Diner, the building operated as Olivia’s for 20 years before the Smiths took over. During renovations, they discovered some of the diner’s early recipes, including one for a popular shredded chicken sandwich they now serve.
Sweet Smitty’s offers a range of food items, but ice cream accounts for 80% of their business. The Smiths attend ice cream conventions to ensure they offer top-quality products, including selections from Toft’s Dairy in Sandusky. This season, they feature soft serve, non-dairy Dole Whip, and 45 hard dip flavors from four different manufacturers. “We adapt our menu to match what people like and what they’re missing,” Craig said.
With their dedication to quality and community, Craig and Kelly Smith have breathed new life into a historic building and created a beloved local destination.
