I scream, you scream, we all scream for…. SMILEY’S ICE CREAM! Bridgewater is excited to announce that Smiley’s is coming to Town. Awarded by Virginia Living’s Best of Virginia 2020 Reader’s Survey as one of the best ice cream stores in all of Virginia, Smiley’s Ice Cream has become a popular sweet spot for more than just Rockingham County residents. A quick glance at comments on their Facebook page will tell you that Virginia Living actually got it wrong… their fans believe that Smiley’s is THE BEST ice cream store in the state. During the warm summer months, they’ve been known to have as many as 1,000 guests in a day!
Bridgewater College 2004 graduate, Derek Smiley, is the owner of the successful ice cream store. He started selling ice cream in 2001 while he was still a BC student and continued to grow his business after graduation while teaching elementary school. In the summer of 2017, Smiley’s Ice Cream celebrated a big move from their 20 foot mobile unit into the brick and mortar shop adjacent to Mount Crawford Creamery that they are in today. Less than 4 years later, they are ready for another big move.
Smiley’s is open 7 days a week. They offer 16 flavors daily, including weekly and monthly specialties and several sorbets and gluten free options for those that have dietary restrictions. You’ll also find mouth-watering shakes and floats, ice cream cakes and novelties, and even doggie bowls on their menu. And the cherry on top is that Smiley’s partners with local farmers whenever possible. Dairy ingredients are from Mount Crawford Creamery. Strawberries, blueberries, and peaches are also sourced locally. This month Smiley’s has partnered with Harmony Harvest Flower Farm in Weyer’s Cave to provide special Valentine’s packages.
Smiley’s recently purchased property on the corner of Dinkel Avenue and Don Litten Parkway, adjacent to Bridgewater Health Center. In a press release last week, Governor Ralph Northam said that the Smiley’s expansion will source an additional 18,000 gallons of Virginia-produced dairy and an additional 2,500 pounds of Virginia-grown fruits over the next three years. He added “We are delighted to support this expansion by Smiley’s Ice Cream, a business that has found its sweet spot by bringing together entrepreneurship, Virginia-grown ingredients, and agritourism in the Shenandoah Valley.” Keep your eyes open for development to begin at the Don Litten Parkway site in the near future.
This announcement was also in The Current, available online now and coming to your mailbox this week!
We support all our local Bridgewater businesses and want to get the word out! To have your Bridgewater business listed on Bridgewater Buzz, e-mail b-conomist@bridgewater.town.