A new ice cream and candy shop opened in Alexandria last weekend. In advance of the opening, Chris Mayhew of the Community Recorder wrote:
ALEXANDRIA — Steve Field will revive his sweet childhood memories of old-time ice cream shops making fresh malts and shakes with the opening of Candy & Cones in Alexandria June 16.
The store, located at 7505 Alexandria Pike, serves multiple varieties of hand-dipped ice cream and soft serve vanilla ice cream, ice balls filled with ice cream and “retro” packaged candies including Goo Goo Clusters, Cracker Jack boxes, salt water taffy and Lemonheads.
Field said he moved back to his childhood home of Alexandria five years ago, and immediately missed the old-time ice cream and shake shop experiences he had growing up. Field said he has dreamed for 20 years of opening up an ice cream shop, and toyed with the idea until he sold off his home and pest inspection businesses last year.
Field and his wife Cathy run the store, and own it with his brother and business partner Steve Field.
The shop, almost directly across from where Ky. 709 intersects with Alexandria Pike, has been completely renovated inside with a color-scheme of pastel pink, blue, green and yellow on a main wall set against a white background.
“My dad came in and said this looks like a children’s playhouse, and that’s what we’re shooting for,” said Dave. Dave, a display designer with a background in art and graphic design, designed the shop’s decor. Steve also designed and drew the store’s mascots, a child named “Roscoe” holding an ice cream cone and his dog Sparky.
“Roscoe is inspired by a childhood friend of mine,” said Steve Field.
Steve, who wears a bright red pastry hat, describes himself as “the scientist working in the back” who makes up new ice cream flavor mixtures and creations.
“That’s why we have Sparky’s Swirl Shake,” he said.
The shake used crushed ice with soft serve ice cream and an array of ice ball flavors mixed in to create a swirl-effect, Steve said.
Steve has also brought back an old favorite flavor of his known simply as “nectar.”
“Let’s call it our ‘must-try flavor,’” he said.
The store also offers a mix of newer candies children already know to go along with the retro candies, and will make ice cream and shake requests to order in addition to what’s on the menu, Steve said. The store will also sell diabetic-friendly, sugar-free candies and is working on having one day a week when homemade sugar-free ice cream will be served, he said.
Steve said in addition to the red pastry hat and apron he wears, he’s also planning to buy some “funny-looking” pants to help help create a fun environment and sweet shop memories for a new generation of children.
“Our goal is for everyone to leave here with a smile,” he said.
Hours and information
Candy & Cones, 7505 Alexandria Pike, Alexandria is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; and from 11 a.m. to 10 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Phone: 859-630-3045.