Just as warmer weather beckons us outdoors, our community is getting a sweet new destination to celebrate the changing season. Mister Softee has just opened a new ice cream shop at 605 Route 9 South in Little Egg Harbor, taking over the space formerly occupied by The Pine Cone ice cream shop.
Dan and Liz Pittman, residents of the Bayville section of Berkeley Township, are bringing their passion for quality ice cream to the location. The couple has built an impressive local presence, operating year-round shops in Beachwood, Brick, and the Manahawkin section of Stafford, plus seasonal boardwalk locations in Seaside Heights and Point Pleasant Beach, which open for the season on Saturday, March 28.
What sets the Pittmans' shops apart is their commitment to crafting their own hard ice cream at their Beachwood location. The Little Egg Harbor shop will showcase 32 unique hard ice cream flavors, each made with carefully sourced ingredients that tell a story of quality and attention to detail.
"We really take our time to source ingredients," Dan Pittman explained. That dedication means black cherries from Washington state, mint from Vermont, and dulce de leche flavoring from Mexico City all find their way into the frozen treats our neighbors will soon enjoy.
Beyond the handcrafted hard ice cream, the new location will offer classic vanilla, chocolate, and swirl soft-serve, along with the full customizable menu familiar to fans of Mister Softee trucks. Customers can also order custom ice cream cakes, ice cream cake by the slice, ice cream sandwiches, pup cups for four-legged friends, and creative milkshakes including the "Elvis Dream" — a decadent blend of peanut butter, bananas, and cookies and cream ice cream.
The Pittmans' ice cream empire extends beyond their brick-and-mortar locations. They operate 14 Mister Softee trucks covering Ocean and Monmouth counties, portions of Middlesex County, and even Staten Island. Dan Pittman's journey in the business started humbly with a single truck serving Jackson, Toms River, and Howell. The couple is also eyeing a potential Lakehurst location for future expansion.
Mister Softee itself has deep roots in the region. Founded in Philadelphia in 1956, the family-owned company now based in Runnemede, Camden County, has grown into one of the largest soft ice cream franchisers in the country.
The Little Egg Harbor shop will welcome customers from noon to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and noon to 10 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. For those planning their first visit, the shop can be reached at 609-857-5206 or through mistersoftee.com.
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South Jersey NewsBeat
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