Mom-and-pop ice cream parlor in Pennsylvania named among top 10 in the nation

An independent ice cream shop in Boyertown was recently named among the best in the nation by USA Today’s 10Best list.

USA Today’s “Best Ice Cream Shop (2026),” published June 17, named The Peppermint Stick Candy Store & Ice Cream Parlor the No. 8 best independent ice cream parlor in the nation.

“Who knew scooping ice cream could lead to national recognition? We’re honored to be named one of USA Today’s 10 Best Independent ice cream shops,” store owner Rachael Kehler wrote in an emailed statement to the Centre Daily Times. “This award belongs to our customers, our incredible staff, and everyone who has ever stood in line for ‘just one scoop’ and somehow left with candy too. Thank you for helping us put Boyertown on the national map!”

The Peppermint Stick Candy Store & Ice Cream Parlor offers an extensive selection of frozen treats, from sundaes, to ice cream cups and cones with a variety of toppings, to banana splits and more.

Here’s a brief overview of what you can order:

• “Dirt sundae” with chocolate ice cream, gummy worms and crushed oreos
• “Down at the shore” sundae with vanilla ice cream, pineapple topping, whipped cream, a gummy shark and an umbrella
• “Clown sundae” with a scoop of ice cream, whipped cream, M&M eyes and a sugar cone
• Ice cream flavors include chocolate, vanilla, vegan vanilla, sugar free butter pecan, strawberry, mint chocolate chip, chocolate chip cookie dough, vanilla peanut butter and more.
• Specialty cone options include a sugar cone, waffle cone, pretzel cone and waffle bowl.
• Topping options include hot fudge, peanut butter sauce, rainbow sprinkles, crushed Oreos, M&Ms, cookie dough bites and more.

If ice cream isn’t your thing, the local business also specializes in “nostalgic” candies, with some options available for shipping. From “penny candy” to truffles, chocolate, caramels and more, there are a variety of choices.

Top 10 best indie ice cream shops

Here’s how the top 10 best independent ice cream shops in the nation compared, according to USA Today:

1. Coneflower Creamery in Omaha, Neb.
2. An’s Dry Cleaning in San Diego
3. Chill Bros in Tampa, Fla.
4. Malai in Brooklyn, N.Y.
5. Leopold’s Ice Cream in Savannah, Ga.
6. Andia’s Ice Cream in North Carolina (multiple locations)
7. Island Creamery in Maryland and Virginia (multiple locations)
8. The Peppermint Stick Candy Store & Ice Cream Parlor in Boyertown, Pa.
9. Marianne’s Ice Cream in California (multiple locations)
10. Cedar City Creamery in Cedar Falls, Iowa

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