SIGN OF SPRING
Snowman Ice Cream opens for its 67th season
TROY, N.Y. » The popular Snowman Ice Cream is officially open for its 67th season of serving sweet treats to the Collar City community.
The local ice cream shop, set at the corner of 114th Street and Fifth Avenue in Troy’s Lansingburgh neighborhood, opened at noon on Sunday, March 8 for its 2020 season.
Throughout the day, lots of ice cream-lovers from both near and far were lined up to have their first taste of Snowman for the year.
“It’s amazing the turnout of people that want to be there on Opening Day,” said business owner John Murphy. “It’s amazing the response we have. I’m blessed.”
Though the shop’s hours are listed until 9 p.m. on this day, it inevitably stays open later every year. “We’re always there until the last customer is served on Opening Day,” Murphy said.
Soft serve and hard ice cream cones, sundaes, shakes and malts made their way out of the shop window all day long, as customers ordered their favorite Snowman delicacies.
For Bill Plante, of Brunswick, that’s a large creamsicle cone. Plante has been coming to Snowman regularly since he was just 10 years old, growing up in Lansingburgh, and Murphy always remembers his order.
Bill and Cherie Plante visit Snowman each year on Opening Day and Closing Day, “and a bunch of times in between,” said Cherie, who really enjoys the malts.
In addition to the longtime customers, Snowman is always appealing to new generations as well. Cousins Cora and Briella, ages 11 and 13, of Troy, went to Snowman with their aunt and uncle on Sunday.
“My family comes here all the time. It’s kind of like a tradition,” said Cora, who had a watermelon frozen yogurt.
Both girls agree that Snowman has the best ice cream in the area, and they look forward to coming back many more times this season.
“We have the best customers in the world,” Murphy said. Beyond Opening Day, more familiar faces will certainly be stopping by Snowman in the days and weeks to come. “We’re ready to see all of our customers,” he added.
Prior to the big day, Murphy and his staff spent about a week and a half making ice cream, including a brand-new flavor: Chocolate Cherry Amaretto.
More new flavors will debut throughout the season too, Murphy said, including some new dairy-free, vegan options. “That’s a growing part of our business,” he said.
The top-selling hard ice cream flavor served at Snowman is Coffee Oreo, and the most popular order is a soft vanilla ice cream with rainbow sprinkles, Murphy shared.
Entering his personal 22nd season of operating Snowman Ice Cream, Murphy is the third owner of this beloved business. As is tradition, Snowman’s iconic neon sign was lit up the night before Opening Day to honor the Snowman’s former owners Tom Tully and Don Baker.
“It’s not a job. I have so much fun doing what I do,” Murphy said. “I get up every morning at 5 a.m. I’m at work by usually 5:30 or 6 o’clock, and I go home when the last customer is served - and it doesn’t ever feel like a job to me.”
Murphy continued, “It’s a hobby. It’s a passion.”