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Monday, April 26, 2021

We All Scream

For ice cream, of course — do you?
And, we did that this past weekend on a warm and sunny Saturday afternoon. It should be noted that these twist cones were the small size. Next time, we'll opt for the kiddie size (maybe).

Big One website image
We enjoyed these treats at The Big 1, an ice cream stand that's been a Nashua, NH, landmark since the 1950s. Back in 1973, Marcel Lemay purchased the business and ran it for 10 years before selling it his sister-in-law, Pat. It was sold again in 1998 to Jeanne (Marcel's niece) and Gary Marquis who have continued to make The Big 1 a popular family owned and operated ice cream stand here in Nashua, NH, for over 48 years. There's always a line outside this place. 

But that business was in danger of permanent closure when in January of this year, a truck that wasn't making a pickup at the popular creamery, crashed into the closed stand causing significant structural damage. According to an online article, the Nashua police log indicated that a pursuit was happening on the street at the same time as the crash. No ice cream takeout was involved.
These online photos↑↓ show how extensive the damage was to the front of the building. Despite that crash, the iconic and very familiar sign for The Big One remained upright.
Luckily, repairs were completed in advance of the 2021 season and the creamery reopened a couple of weeks ago. If Saturday's lines were any indication, it's in for a(nother) very successful ice scream season.
Big One website image
Admittedly, we'll definitely be returning later this season, after all the season has just begun.
We'll be sure to get a different  cone size next time, but that small 🍦 was very good 😋

27 comments:

Bijoux said...

Yummy! We love our frozen custard here. The old family run places are the best.

acorn hollow said...

I work next to an ice cream store and they had a line all day.
Cathy

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

A regular treat on my walks too, though I've only had one so far this year.

DUTA said...

48 years - that's quite some time.
Ice cream, the most popular treat in the world, has become widely common with the use of refrigerators.
I find it rather odd, but I enjoy ice cream especially in winter. -

Buttercup said...

Love ice cream and every Mr. Softee truck calls out to me. I haven't given it yet, but I know it's only a matter of time. I'd go for vanilla with a cherry dip.

My name is Erika. said...

Saturday was the perfect day for ice cream. And those are huge. Our stand in my town is like that and I almost always get a baby, unless of course it is my lunch or even dinner. Glad they got the place fixed and opened, and I bet it tasted yummy too. Happy new week.

Edna B said...

Soft ice cream, my favorite kind of ice cream. Yum! Enjoy your day, hugs, Edna B.

MadSnapper said...

I love the sign and if yours is the small I bet the large is as big as the sign

Emma Springfield said...

Those cones look sooooooo good. I want one.

David said...

Beatrice, While we don't have any real old time ice cream stands close to us, we do have 3 ice cream parlors close by. Actually the third one will open shortly. Two of the three feature creamy rich homemade ice cream! Happy us! Stay Safe and Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

LL Cool Joe said...

You both looked delighted by your ice cream cones! And that was the small size! Oh my.

Christina said...

Blimey, these small cones look gigantic! I wonder what a larger size would be like? Is this the type of ice cream that squirts out of a machine? I am rather fond of that, childhood memories. I don't remember chocolate flavour but I loved vanilla with a squirt of strawberry sauce. Glad to hear the business is open again, visiting will be a great treat over the summer.

Jon said...

Wow!! Those are the SMALL cones?? I can only imagine what the large ones are like. Family businesses are always the best. I'm glad that the unfortunate accident didn't force them to close.

Those ice cream cones reminded me of the Carvel ice cream that we used to get when I was a tiny kid in New Jersey.

Rita said...

Oh wow! It's actually a good thing that happened during the closed season so they had time to rebuild! They make all their money spring to fall. Whew! I can see why it is a very popular place! :)

Susan Zarzycki said...

Yum! That cone looks huge! Our island stand opens on the weekends now so it was a big treat to stop by this past weekend to get my first cone of the season. It was so good!💖

Marcia said...

There's a popular ice cream spot near the Home Depot in Lebanon. No sign yet when it will be opening. Maybe in May.

Michelle said...

Wow, those cones look so good!

Vee said...

Glad that the Number 1 prevailed. I keep hoping the local ice cream shoppe will open, but it's looking like this is the second summer it will be closed. Your cones look so good and I am officially jealous. 🍦

William Kendall said...

I love ice cream. It's been awhile since I've had a cone though.

Margaret D said...

Nasty crash.
My that ice cream is large. Good to see a business still continuing after all these years.

Doris Fahnestock said...

Wow those small cones are big! Ellen and Dale love soft serve....they both love a twist of chocolate and vanilla, I love vanilla and can't eat the cone. BUT, if hand dipped ice cream is also served I get something fruity. Had Peachy Paterno in State College on Friday, my absolute favorite!
Yay for ice cream season!!

Anvilcloud said...

Big 1, indeed, if those are the smalls. One or two ice cream visits will await us this year.

Karen Lakis said...

Good thing they were able to save the place and reopen. Going out for ice cream is a big favorite for me!

Jane and Lance Hattatt said...

Dear Beatrice,

Although we have yet to visit the USA, we have always thought that things are bigger and better there!! Now you have given us living proof.

The Big 1 is clearly not just a name.... it is a way of life. Those ice creams could be called "whoppers" in any other country, but small they are definitely not. However, like you, I can confidently say that we would have eaten the lot although you do not say how you managed to stop the ice cream dribbling whilst being consumed.:):)

It is good to see that the Big 1 has risen like the proverbial phoenix from the ashes. It gives hope that in these strange and difficult times for shopkeepers everywhere there can be promise for the future.

Lois Evensen said...

Oh, that looks delicious! It's great the "hot spot" was able to survive the damage.

nick said...

I adore ice cream and chocolate, I can't get enough of them. Luckily no shortage of either during the pandemic.

Jeanie said...

Ice cream is wonderful! Soon our outdoor spots will be open too, and I'll look forward to a visit!