ELYSE GRIECO
Life & Arts Editor
After being a Fredonia student for the past two years, I can say that I always look forward to that first day in spring when Big Dipper reopens its doors after a cold winter season.
Big Dipper is a small, locally owned ice cream parlor and one of Dunkirk’s hidden treasures.
It has been a family tradition for 50 years, but ice cream wasn’t what they initially had in mind.
Originally from Silver Creek, N.Y., Carmen and Grace Oliver relocated to Dunkirk, N.Y., due to Carmen’s job with Nationwide Insurance.
He was warned that his career might fail due to lack of support in the area.
But thanks to his personality and people skills, he was able to become a million dollar producer within a year.
Oliver came to love this community that was so generous to him.
He purchased the Big Dipper building, originally a dairy, with intentions of one day opening it up as an ice cream parlor.
He also opened Presto Car Wash connected to the shop.
Unfortunately, in 2015 the car wash closed its doors for good.
The old building was then renovated and became an addition to Big Dipper.
Today, the shop is owned and operated by Oliver and his niece Terri Stoessel.
The parlor’s menu consists of over 20 unique homemade flavors of ice cream.
“The triple chocolate ice cream is my favorite,” said Cali Sullivan, a senior public relations major. “The fact that they make everything from scratch just makes it all even better.”
Big Dipper doesn’t only offer home made ice cream.
“We continuously are working in the back. Behind the scenes we are baking and making cakes. We want nothing but the best product and to focus on keeping everything fresh,” said Stoessel.
They also cater to dietary restrictions.
“We focus on allergies, vegans and gluten free diets.”
But the menu isn’t the only thing that keeps Big Dipper’s customers coming back.
The business’s atmosphere has helped turn the ice cream shop into a community staple.
“We don’t consider this just a workplace, but instead a home,” said Stoessel.
They thrive on making sure every customer feels like part of the family.
“Everything is thought out for our customers. We hope to keep an environment where the community can always be welcomed and to enjoy each other’s company,” she said. “We greet every customer when they enter our facility, The ice cream is just a special treat.”
Big Dipper will be shutting their doors on Oct. 7 for the winter season.
Make sure to stop by before they close for a delicious treat. They will be open every day this week from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
For more information on how to ship ice cream across the U.S. and purchase gift cards, visit www.bigdippericecream.net.