Need something cold to help you cool down? Try these Hattiesburg-area ice cream shops
Many of us as children listened for the jingle of the ice cream truck rolling through the neighborhood. We'd quickly run inside, get the change in our piggy banks, and hope to get some cold sweet treats before the truck moved on.
Ice cream trucks are still around, but aren't as plentiful as they used to be. With temperatures already in the 90s ahead of the official start of summer, many of us are looking for ways to cool down.
Hattiesburg has ice cream store stalwarts like Baskin-Robbins (3720 Hardy St.) and Dairy Queen Grill and Chill (6370 U.S. 98 or 6427 U.S. 49), but there are some smaller shops you may not know about.
So we found five fun places to go for a frozen treat in the Hattiesburg area. As a bonus, we'll tell you about one more place that will be opening soon.
Igloo Creamery
The former Hub City Creamery, at 4400 Hardy St., Suites A8-9, changed its name a few months ago when new owners took over the store, but everything else stayed the same. Igloo Creamery serves generous portions of Hershey's ice cream with an option to add loads of bells and whistles from dipped waffle cones to dozens of toppings. The shop also offers vegan, gluten-free and no-added-sugar varieties for those with dietary restrictions.
Marble Slab Creamery
Located at 5040 Hardy St., Suite 20, Marble Slab Creamery dishes up homemade ice cream, sundaes, shakes and smoothies. In addition, Marble Slab makes ice cream cakes for your special occasions. You tell them what flavors, and mix-ins and they do the rest.
Nannie Mac's
Nannie Mac's at 3805 West Fourth St. is a coffee and tea shop that serves Hershey's ice cream. While it doesn't have as many flavors as Igloo Creamery, the store still has a large selection. Nannie Mac's also serves hot dogs, nachos and other snack items.
Asian Cafe
Known for its pho, poke bowls and bubble tea, Asian Cafe at 109 South 31st Ave., Suite 60, serves Thai-style rolled ice cream, giving the frozen treat a little twist — or a twirl. The ice cream starts out as a liquid, which is poured out on a frozen slab. Fresh fruit or other sweet treats are added for color and flavor. As the liquid freezes, it becomes ice cream, which is rolled into thin curls and packed into a cup.
The Shoppe Ice Cream and More
Located at 78 Shelby Speights Drive in Purvis, The Shoppe Ice Cream and More might be worth the drive from Hattiesburg not only for the hand-dipped Blue Bell ice cream, but for its panini-style sandwiches, salads and more.
Opening soon
Look for Pop and Co. ice cream and gourmet popcorn shop opening soon on Mobile Street, across from the Lucky Rabbit in downtown Hattiesburg. Nicholas Fairley, owner of Fairley's Wings, Main Street Snow Ball and Downtown Nutrition, will be opening his fourth food venture in the coming weeks.
Do you have a story to share? Contact Lici Beveridge at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge.
This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: 5 ice cream shops in Hattiesburg to try
