This April, Addie’s Ice Cream is expanding its business to Houghton.
The company, cofounded by Houghton College alumni Addie and Andrew Silbert, began serving the town of Findley Lake, NY in May of 2009. By April of this year, they plan to open a new location adjacent to the fire hall parking lot. It will take the space that was formerly “Personal Effects” at 9746 Route 19. The space is their second location.
“We plan to offer a variety of 16 flavors at our Houghton location,” Addie said, “We also plan to offer our homemade waffle cones, waffle bowls, sundaes, banana splits, milkshakes, floats, a variety of novelties, fresh brewed coffee and some baked items.”
Addie and Andrew met at Houghton College. Addie graduated in 2007 with a B.S. in business, and Andrew in 2008 with a B.A. in communications. In 2009, they opened a family restaurant and ice cream parlor near Addie’s hometown after moving there a year prior. Set two hours west of Houghton, Findley Lake became the stage for the couple’s entrepreneurial upstart.
The restaurant on Sunnyside Rd. (paralleled by Shadyside Rd. on the other side of the lake) became a beloved part of the community. As their shop grew, Addie and Andrew noticed that the product people kept coming back for was not their hot food, but rather their frozen treats. After two years of business, they decided to refocus solely as an ice cream shop. Until this year, their expansion has only reached out to vendors – including Houghton College’s Campus Store and 5Bites.
The company began to offer its product through 5Bites in late September of last year. Bradley Oliver (’15) works with Addie’s, managing stock and shipments of their ice cream to 5Bites. He says, “Addie’s really cares about our business’ success which was manifested in their deliveries and payment schedules. Addie and Andrew are both genuine people and are really passionate about their business.”
While many of the company’s products are available on campus already, the Houghton location offers new opportunities to the college and the community. With this space, Addie’s can get involved with the college’s students by providing employment opportunities that are currently few and far between outside of campus. In addition, Addie’s is interested in a potential relationship with the business program at Houghton, providing internships that will feature hands on experience in an entrepreneurial environment.
When asked what the couple’s impetus for opening a location in Houghton, Addie answered, “One of the reasons was the desire to begin to give back to a community that we both cared about. We wanted to contribute to the economic development of the Houghton community.”
Addie’s hopes to become an integral part of life for both students and non-students alike in the Houghton area. Look for their frozen treats to arrive as Houghton thaws this April.