NAPLES — Florida’s summer heat is tough to escape from, but a new club in Naples aims to cool residents off in a sweet way. Not to worry, golf club membership dues are not necessary to belong, or even greens fees. But after a hot day at the golf course, a fresh banana split, or a butter pecan ice cream cone may be in order. That’s where the Ice Cream Club of Naples comes into play for ice cream lovers of all ages.
“We’ve always wanted to be business owners,” Liana Melle said, as she often serves up 44 flavors of the Ice Cream Club’s fresh award-winning ice cream with her husband and co-owner, Jim Melle. Liana Melle brings many years of hospitality industry experience to her customers who stop by to choose their favorite scoop of Ice Cream Club ice cream each day.
The Melle family decorated their latest venture and Naples newest ice cream location, in the Carillon Plaza, with a brilliant blue theme to match the registered trademark colors of the Award Winning Ice Cream Club, established in Boynton Beach, Fla., in 1982.
Liana Melle remembers all of her customers already on a first-name basis, in just the first few months of opening, by the flavors everyone orders. The Ice Cream Club team welcomes new and returning customers for scoops of generously portioned ice cream, sorbets, and yummy yogurt flavors. Low sugar ice cream and yogurt options are also available to those who are watching their sugar levels.
“I’ve tried others, but I like the whole fruit in this ice cream. There’s no preservatives either,” says Emanoel Thermitus of Naples, who often frequents the Ice Cream Club of Naples for a large cup of fresh strawberry ice cream. Strawberry is a classic offering of the Ice Cream Club, compared to some of the one-of-a-kind rich seductive flavors of Pirate’s Plunder, Snickelicious, Mackinac Turtle Fudge, and colorful Superman ice cream.
“We do have quite a few regular customers who are supporting us,” adds Jim Melle, as he often works closely with Liana to order original ice cream flavors, and mix special flavors of creamy ice cream for delectable ice cream pies, cakes and milkshakes.
Together, the Melles just returned from catering a special event for the Naples Bath and Tennis Club, where they scooped Ice Cream Club’s cool comforting flavors to guests by the poolside. “We can travel to local events, and we are partnering with local charities and businesses to offer ice cream to help our community. We also offer Free Kid Reward Coupons at the YMCA as well,” explains Jim Melle.
Enjoy the Ice Cream Club for lunch, or an anytime treat at a low cost with a Nathan’s hot dog deal. “For just $3.99, you can get a Nathan’s Famous hot dog, a bag of chips, and a soda,” explains Jim Melle, who designed the various menu items with his wife.
“I like it. It tastes good! “ says Samantha Winters, 4, as she tries a Ice Cream Club cone for the first time ever. Winters was enjoying a rainbow sprinkle dipped waffle cone, which are hand dipped fresh on a daily basis.
The Ice Cream Club’s unique approach to serving up personal favorites for customers has residents returning to scoop up more of Ice Cream Club’s spectacular flavors. Also, there is a lifetime membership gold card for only $5, allowing life members to choose any flavor, with a free ice cream cone on your birthday, too.
Alas, stocking up on Ice Cream Club flavors to fill your home freezer for a rainy day is simple with the Ice Cream Club flavor selections, available in pints, quarts, or even three gallon tubs, according to Jim Melle. “We have a saying here, it goes life is short, eat dessert first.”
If You Go:
Ice Cream Club of Naples
Carillon Plaza
Located between Total Wine and Walmart Grocery Store
5036 Airport Road North
Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. every day
Phone: (239) 403-3665
Senior and ,ilitary discount 10 percent off every day
Happy hour every day from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 1/2 price sundaes
B.Y.O.B. Bring Your Own Banana $1.00 off
Website: www.naplesicecreamclub.com
Special features also include Mosaic International Coffee and gourmet cookies, Florida saltwater taffies, and specialty candies.
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