Customers can top off their cool treats with more delectables at Betsy's
The ice-cream maker Betsy Miller received for her wedding shower in 2010 led to a shop full of gallons of this cool, refreshing treat.
It was part of the inspiration behind her and husband Ryan's venture into opening an ice-cream store. They made some for a family cookout, and it got such rave reviews, they knew what they were called to do next. They named the place Betsy's. It's in the heart of Mt. Lebanon along Washington Road.
"It was weird, at first, having my name as the name of the ice-cream shop, but now, I think it is sweet," says Betsy Miller, a kindergarten teacher for Propel North Shore Charter School. "It is about love."
"Yes, yes, love," says Ryan Miller, who spent eight years in corporate marketing prior to the opening of the shop. "I think the name is perfect. We always dreamed of opening our own business. We invite everyone to stop by Betsy's. We hope they love it. We chose ice cream because we know that pretty much everyone of every age loves ice cream."
The 1,000-square-foot shop dished out its first scoop March 7. It's in a former office building that was built in 1925. The couple, who live in Mt. Lebanon, did almost all of the work in getting the space renovated with assistance from family and friends.
"We fell in love with this space the minute we saw it," Betsy Miller says. "It also was perfect because there wasn't another ice-cream-only store on Washington Road."
The Millers -- both 31 years old -- thought that early spring was the perfect time to open so they could ease into the business. But with unseasonably warm temperatures, the lines have been out the door at times.
"It was pretty crazy," Ryan Miller says. "It didn't take long for people to know we are here. Word of ice cream gets around pretty quickly."
The couple has a way of effectively dealing with crowds. Prices are in round numbers, tax included, so they don't have to worry about change.
A small is two scoops for $2, medium is $3 and large is $4. A small milkshake is $3. They have waffle, sugar and cake cones. Other items include frozen yogurt, sherbet and slushies. Slushie flavors include orange, cherry, watermelon and blue raspberry. Feel free to ask your server to mix flavors.
There are 24 ice-cream and sorbet flavors available daily, along with four flavors of soft-serve yogurt. The ice cream and sorbet is house made.
They have 170 gallons ready to go, and use an average of 125 to 150 gallons per week. Twenty-two toppings are available via wall dispensers. They include cinnamon toast, peanut-butter cups, cheesecake, heath bars and fresh fruit.
Birthday cake is one of the top sellers along with chocolate peanut-butter cup, Nutella, coconut chip, cookie dough, cookies and cream, and lavender-red raspberry.
The couple plans to add cakes and pies to the mix.
"Ice cream makes everybody happy," Betsy Miller says. "It can brighten your day. We know ice cream has calories, but they are good calories."
The tabletops are chalkboards where you can draw a picture or play a game of tic tac toe. There's space outside to sit, as well.
The Miller's plan for the shop to be open year round, possibly closing for a month in the winter, unless there is another winter like this past one with so many mild days, Ryan Miller says. He is the mastermind behind coming up with new and unusual flavors, including working on one with bacon. He is open to suggestions.
"I really like to experiment with off the wall flavors," Ryan Miller says. "If there is something they want, some combination, and we can make it, we will. One customer asked for a chocolate chili-pepper milkshake. We made it and he said it made his day. That is what we want to do ... make people's day with their favorite ice cream."
Betsy's is at 664 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon. Hours are noon to 10 p.m. Mondays through Sundays. Details: 412-668-0379; www.betsysicecream.com.
