K.C. Cargill has brought something sweet to the former Takeout Station.
Gerry’s Variety has partnered with Memories Ice Cream and opened Sidetracks, an ice cream stand at 64 Lincoln St. The stand is open seven days a week from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
“Memories is just a well-known brand… it seemed like an easy fit,” said Cargill, owner of Gerry’s Variety.
Sidetracks offer 32 flavors, including the classic Moosetracks (vanilla ice cream with peanut butter cups and a very special fudge swirl) and Purple Cow (black raspberry ice cream with white and dark chocolate pieces).
In addition, they serve up two special flavors that rotate each week. For customers with dietary restrictions, the stand serves vegan and dairy-free options, ranging from the classic chocolate (almond milk base with loads of fudge) to black raspberry (black raspberry puree added to almond milk base).
Cargill attributed the idea of partnering up with Memories to Jayne Powell, who has been managing Gerry’s Variety for 22 years.
“We have two harmonious businesses, we already offer Memories (products) – pints, quarts and sandwiches here in our store,” said Powell. “… We thought, why not get some scoops going in there.”
Cargill, who also owns Lexie’s, dubbed Lincoln Street as the town’s up-and-coming “food mecca.” The corridor has seen a rise of cafes and eateries from Trackside Cafe to the newly arrived Flamingos Coffee Bar and soon-to-come Island Vibes Cafe, a smoothie/acai bowl shop.
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Cargill said although the primary purpose of Sidetracks is as an ice cream stand, it will also serve as a commissary for the prepared goods at Gerry’s Variety in the future.
Lincoln Street is strategically located near the train station and three schools. It also has a bus stop that drops off crowds from the middle and high schools and is near a residential area. Cargill plans to use Sidetracks to “capitalize” on that.
“It’s gonna be like scoops and snacks,” he said. “So, we’re going to have chicken tenders, tater tots, just kind of like kid-friendly food. There’s not really any place besides Lexie’s (on Lincoln Street) that kids can actually just come to and just hang out.”
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Steve Padfield, the owner of Memories, said his relationship with Cargill started when they both were doing food stands at local events.
“(Cargill) called me up and said, ‘Hey, I want to put an ice cream stand next door,’” Padfield recalled. “I said, ‘I think you’ll do well with it,’ and he did.”
The Kingston-based creamery’s signature flavors include Coconut Chip (coconut ice cream with shredded coconut and chocolate chunks) and Holy Cow (a combination of Snickers, M&Ms, chocolate chips, brownie pieces, peanut butter cups and cookies finished with a chocolate swirl). Memories has more than 50 flavors in total.
On average, Padfield said he produces 40 12.5-gallon batches of ice cream each day and sells about 400 tubs of ice cream per week – both at Memories and other retailers. He said the creamery produces vanilla ice cream the most, as it is a popular flavor that also serves as a versatile base.
Another best-seller is their ice cream cookies, added Padfield, who bakes around 650 cookies every morning.
Sidetracks opened at the end of last month, open Wednesday through Sunday. Starting this week, they are open every day.
Powell credits that to steady growth in crowds each week. She said Sidetracks’ best-seller has been Cookie Monster (homemade vanilla ice cream with an unpredictable combination of their homemade cookies). It is one of Memories’ signature flavors.
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Next door at Gerry’s Variety, Powell said the best-selling Memories products are the pints of ice cream and ice cream sandwiches. They rival each other, she said.
“I always really appreciate the support of Exeter,” she said. “I love that we’re adding Memories to our family, it’s awesome.”
Source : Seacoastonline
