This ice cream shop is one of Springfield’s hidden gems for sweet treats

Don’t let a familiar name fool or confuse you — this place full of sweet stuff you’ll love is most definitely all about our town.

Restaurant: Hershey's Ice Cream Springfield

Location: 1540 Moorefield Road in Northridge

Contact:

Background/Overview:

Hershey Creamery Co. was founded by the Hershey brothers in 1894. Hershey Chocolate Co. was founded about the same time by Milton S. Hershey in Hershey, Penn., yet, is no relation to the Hershey Creamery Co..

The Hershey brothers built their production plant in Harrisburg, Penn., in 1926. Due to the swift growth of its Hershey’s Ice Cream, the company merged with Meyer Dairy in the 1940s; Eli Hershey was president and George A.B. Holder was vice president. Today, the Holder family handles the day-to-day operations of the Hershey Creamery Co.

Rick Smith acquired his father’s Smith’s Market in Springfield in 1979. It moved to its present location in Northridge in 1996. The building next to the Market was originally built as a car wash before becoming a gas station and later a beverage drive-thru. The Smith family bought that building at the same time as their Market and used it as a storage unit. Years later, Rick mentioned to his wife, Peggy, that he wanted to reconstruct the storage building to become an ice cream parlor that would adjoin Smith’s Market. Peggy chuckled, but reconstruction began right away.

Rick telephoned the Hershey Creamery Co. in late 2003 about attaining Hershey’s Ice Cream for his new parlor. Company officials wanted to visit and inspect the site before giving permission for Rick to use the Hershey’s Ice Cream name. Authorization was granted, and Hershey’s Ice Cream Springfield opened on April 14, 2003.

Hershey’s Ice Cream Springfield has 44 quality, authentic flavors that are hand-dipped by Rick, his family or staff member, to your tasteful order.

The Menu:

Premium Ice Cream Flavors (14 percent  Butter Fat) (include):

Birthday Cake; Blueberry Cheesecake; Butter Pecan; Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough; Chocolate Moose Tracks; Cookies and Cream; Cotton Candy; Green Mint Chip; Peach; Orange Blossom; Peanut Butter Cup; Raspberrry; Salted Caramel Truffle; Strawberry Cheesecake; Whitehouse Cherry; “Superman” (three fruity flavors swirled together); “Muddy Sneakers” (chocolate, caramel, peanut candies and milk chocolate flakes in white chocolate ice cream w/caramel fudge ripple); “Magical Unicorn” (purple and white sweet cream swirled w/sweet and sour flavors).

Premium Gold Ice Cream Flavors (16 percent Butter Fat) (include):

Brownie Batter Extreme; Brown Butter Bourbon Truffle; Cappuccino Crunch; Raspberry Chip;

Caramel Cheesecake Cookie Monster; Peanut Butter Caramel Cookie Dough; Oatmeal Cookie Craving; Cold-Brewed Caramocha.

No Sugar Added Ice Cream Flavors (include):

Hours:

Summer hours begin after Memorial Day:

More information:

Hershey’s Ice Cream Springfield offers group specials, so ask Rick for details. Also, please call ahead for large group orders. There’s outdoor seating for 66 customers, and some indoor seating as well.

The “Scoops & Smiles Club” Reward Card allows you to buy seven cones or dishes, and then get one free.

Gift certificates can be purchased in denominations of $1, $5, or $10. And, you can purchase all your goodies with cash, credit card, Android pay, or Apple pay.

The adjoining Smith’s Market is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Look for local restaurant profiles by Glenn and Kim Creyts every other week in “Life.” For inquiries regarding this column, and “Restaurant Profile” ideas and suggestions for future columns, please contact Glenn and Kim via e-mail: glenncreyts@att.net.