The biggest scoop lures visitors
Cones crammed with enormous scoops of icecream are luring hundreds of people to a rural Canterbury dairy after its owner found the key to attracting customers.
Errol Barnes, the owner of Darfield Dairy on the town’s main drag, decided to make icecreams his ‘‘thing’’ about a decade ago.
Now, up to 600 customers pour into his store on summer afternoons for one of his oversized cones or ultra-thick milkshakes.
The town of Darfield, 48 kilometres west of Christchurch, has a population of about 2200. Smith relies on word of mouth and social media to bring tourists to the shop, with a sign reading ‘‘home of the big icecream’’ enticing people inside.
Serving scoops about twice the size of most dairies gives people ‘‘a reason to stop their car and come inside’’, he said.
A ‘‘small’’ single scoop costs $3. A regular scoop is $5, with customers charged $4 for every extra scoop thereafter. Occasionally, he’s handed colossal three-scoop concoctions over the counter but customers were discouraged from ordering too large.
‘‘It just becomes unmanageable. There’s been a few accidents outside the shop when people think they can handle it.’’
Barnes, who has owned the dairy for 17 years, said people’s shopping habits had changed drastically in that time.
As uber-trendy stores pop up around the country selling artisan products, Smith has stuck to his tried and true approach.
The store quickly developed a reputation for generosity, selling 30 flavours from two well-known Kiwi brands, Tip Top and Chateau, across three freezers. Boysenberry, gold rush, cookies and cream and caramel fudge were among the first to sell out.
His 65 ‘‘stick’’ icecream options were also popular, as were the thick shakes made from
Frosty Boy soft serve. But if Darfield isn’t on your summer road-trip route, there are plenty of other nice ices around the region to gorge on.
The Berry Shop, on Sawyers Arms Rd in Christchurch, has been popular in the city for nearly 50 years, while Sumner’s Utopia Ice serves inventive flavours from a menu that is half plant-based and often dairy free.
On The Road is a series about the best places to eat, explore and enjoy in the South Island this summer. If you know of any other hidden gems, email: reporters@press.co.nz.