Can you taste it yet?
The sweetness of cold ice cream, just starting to melt under the spring heat. It’s a flavor that immediately sends you roaring back to your childhood, riding a wave of fudge or caramel, rippling through a sea of vanilla, surfing waves of chocolate with chunks of fudge, nuts or other sweet delights bursting with flavor.
Ice cream is the great common denominator. Everyone, no matter who you are, must at least give pause when offered a delightfully crispy waffle cone piled high with their favorite scoop. We can posture all we want, but at the end of the day it’s that mouth-watering nostalgia of cream and candy that brings us right back to our childhood, and that first scoop signaling the unforgettable summer ahead.
“I have the best job in the world because I’m in the happiness business,” said Jack Daly, proprietor of Coligny’s Frozen Moo. “Ice cream makes everything better. It puts a smile on your face and suddenly your day is better. The Moo has 92 flavors, so I’m sure we will have just the right flavor you need to make you happy.”
Dave Tremarelli and his son, Chip, owners of Rita’s Italian Ice
The ice cream may be doing the heavy lifting, but through his shop, Daly is doing his own part to bring happiness to everyone who visits. His storefront turns Coligny into Cow-ligny Plaza with its array of bovine mascots spreading family fun in front of the 92 mind-boggling flavors on display. From tried-and-true favorites like Moose Tracks and Cookie Dough to intriguing combinations like Garbage Can, Sunken Treasure, and Nutty Coconut, along with low-fat, non-dairy, and no-sugar options, it’s a wonderland of frozen flavor.
But the beauty of Coligny is that, no matter how obsessed you think you are with ice cream, they are far more consumed. As Hilton Head’s downtown, just steps off the beach, they are summer’s official headquarters. As such, they ensure that you are never more than a few steps away from your next delectable scoop.
A fun mural at the Ice Cream Cone, and the artist, Carolanne O’Fee
Take the Ice Cream Cone. Owned by locals Megan and Pete Savarese, this store is not just a testament to the timeless appeal of ice cream. It’s also a love letter to Coligny’s focus on local business. Having worked at the parlor in his youth, Pete was eventually able to save up and make the shop his own.
Today, his shop offers an array of mouth-watering flavors from the scoop or the soft-serve machine, with gourmet combinations that boggle the mind.
Of course, we can’t forget Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, owned by locals Karen and David Tremarelli, alongside their son Chip, offering “Ice for all!” On top of their signature selection of custards and cream ice, their legendary Italian ice offers a fruity, refreshing alternative perfect for summer.
You could pick one of these shops for your next Coligny adventure, but if we’re being honest, it’s nearly impossible to do that. Fortunately, you can always stop at one and be finished with your cup or cone before the next one. Consider it a pub crawl, but one that indulges the timeless springtime yen for cold, delicious frozen treats.
For more information, visit ColignyPlaza.com/Events.
Lucy Stuteville enjoys a raspberry sorbet at The Frozen Moo