Sweet Creams, Sweet Dreams

     Driving up on a busy city street, spotting a small cafe with vintage outdoor seating, white chairs with elegant designs lining their backs set up next to a white metal table sharing similar features, a tall bright red umbrella to shade those sitting illuminated under LED neon signs that hang in the big windows with various flowers all around. Look up to find a fun friendly sign uttering the words "Sweet Creams CAFE" (Figure 1).

Figure 

The owner reveals, "In college in Boston, there was a place called Steve's Ice cream that had lines out the door...even in the snow." That's when Chris Koehler knew ice cream was his passion from the very beginning, inspiring him to create his own restaurant. In this case, he created what he dreamed. Known to many as a local favorite, generated over 30 years ago by Koehler and his wife located in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, just outside the Pocono Mountains.

Figure 2

     Take a look inside, this building with exposed brick walls, high ceilings and beautiful accents that create an open welcoming atmosphere. Walls full of art add a unique twist to the cafe. The paintings are created by locals, displayed upon the wall to showcase the talent of those around you. Coming in, to seat yourself service choose from a booth, bar top or table. Bar top and table tops made from marble, Soft, black and white shining clean paired with wooden chairs and wooden benches worn with love and character (Figure 2). The employees dress in all black with matching aprons providing service as sweet as the ice cream, taking your order and making sure everything is okay, always. After each visit you won't leave without seeing something new. Sitting along side locals, first timers and regulars noticing the connection between the owner and his customers, Chris Koehler, a kind man, with a soft deep voice, white hair and jet black glasses engages with his customers as friends. "Human interaction is important, but happiness is really important." Koehler says when asked why he loves his business. Sweet Creams Cafe, a restaurant that will appeal to all ages and all parties big and small. The owner and his employee's enjoy building a relationship with anyone who comes in, including a relationship with their taste buds. The menu has a variety of not only homemade daily changing ice creams but fun lunch and dinner options you won't see anywhere else. "People see our Bacon Apple Blue pizza and think...What? Apples on pizza?, then they try it, figuring out it works perfectly," Koehler explains regarding an item on his menu. Every item on the menu, delicious according to a customer asked about her meal, "The food is always fresh, the greens are crisp and the ice creams taste as if someone just made them that morning," said the woman clearly satisfied with her lovely meal from this heartthrob cafe.

Figure 3

Sweet Creams Cafe, known for it's daily changing homemade ice creams displaying to the flavors in a unique fashion. Facing the bar top, where the ice cream is prepared, you can see a glowing orange neon sign of an ice cream sundae stating "TREAT YOURSELF". Above it appears a wooden sign appealing to the vintage vibe of the restaurant along with many other items on display. (Figure 3) These ice creams are unlike any other flavors you've ever seen, always updated with the newest flavors on the cafe's Facebook page.  Picking a flavor is an experience since there are so many to choose from. The mouthwatering flavors displayed on a wooden sign attached to the wall written in chalk. To the left, a separate sign, "1 scoop $3.07 + tax and 2 scoops $4.95 + tax, Enjoy!". (Figure 4)

Figure 4

     Choices different from the normal chocolate and vanilla, are flavors like Green Tea with Candied Ginger, Raspberry Marshmallow Swirl, Mexican Chocolate, etc. Koehler likes to create alternative flavors that will fulfill customers ice cream creation dreams. "Trying to create wacky alternatives and see how certain things can work together." Koehler states about how he conjures up crazy good flavors. Each flavor has it's own white bucket home, just waiting to be adopted by your cone or spoon.

Figure 5

A personal favorite and to many is a dessert called the Sweet Creams Sampler, where you can choose six different flavors to try, getting a taste of a few of the many wonderful scoops. (Figure 5) A small, brown, porcelain sampler bowl filled with tiny scoops of each chosen flavor, provides the perfect taste and enough to feel full and happy. This option is perfect for an indecisive personality. Koehler will have an item on the menu for everyone, but choosing may be difficult because they are all so incredible. Although this item appears as a favorite, it doesn't take away from the plethora of options for desserts on the menu, including coffees, teas, sundaes and even the ability to create your own ice cream sandwich from homemade cookies and one homemade ice cream flavor.
     After finishing a meal or dessert, don't forget to pay at the front counter and leave a generous tip for the loyal service received from Sweet Creams Cafe. The staff always remembers to say goodbye and come back really soon. Before you know it the ice cream flavors will have changed and the family of Sweet Creams Cafe will have missed you.

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     This small business with local charm, gives people a reason to feel close to their community, places like this unite people. Giving people a place to go where they can enjoy what they have in common with a comfortable atmosphere. Finishing my ice cream, hearing, "Thank you for coming and spreading the word about Sweet Creams," with a smile on my face I say goodbye. Leaving, closing the humble green painted wooden door you'll see a wire lit up sign "Sweet Creams Cafe", it's winking saying to come again soon and bring friends with you. (Figure 6) Go you won't regret it, hope to see you there!