Tasty two scoops

Cedar Crest Ice Cream features 100-plus flavors

By Charlie Mathews, Herald Times Reporter–

MANITOWOC — Dorothy Sickinger was enjoying a waffle cone, with one scoop of Praline Pecan and another of Butternut Pecan.

"The grankids love coming to 'The Cow," said the Manitowoc grandmother outside the Cedar Crest Ice Cream Parlor Wednesday afternoon.

Indeed, Dana Sickinger, 11, said she was "savoring" two scoops, too, with Mackinaw Island Fudge and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, while her brother, Nathan, had Playdough and Strawberry Revel in his plastic dish.

Their friend, Matthew Mueller, 10, lives in Two Rivers and had never been to the Tenth Street parlor before, featuring the oversized cow on the front yard. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough was his choice.

The Sickingers visited "The Cow" a few minutes after 80 second-graders from Jefferson Elementary School had enjoyed an end-of-school-year treat with the powder-blue Playdough the most popular choice.

"Kids love the colors," said Ken Kohlwey, Cedar Crest president and one of four brothers owning the company.

He still puts vanilla at the top of his fave flavor list. "You can put whatever topping you want on it," he said. "I do like Chocolate Peanutbutter and Chocolate Chip, too."

While Kohlwey directs operations, including the manufacturing plant in Manitowoc, his brothers, Robert, Bill, and Tom are responsible for sales, administration and distribution out of their Cedarburg facility, with a total of about 100 full-time employees.

During March and April they invested $35,000 in a parlor makeover, which included a new soda fountain and soda dispenser, and reconfigured sinks, freezer space and seating.

Now, the seasonal parlor staff managed by Jill Schrimpf can scoop any one of 32 flavors, not just 26, while Cedar Crest produces more than 100.

Cow Trail Twist has been a popular newcomer to the lineup, featuring vanilla and chocolate ice cream swirled together with chocolate-covered pretzels and almonds.

Market expansion

Kohlwey said Chicagoland sales have increased and Cedar Crest now has two trucks delivering ice cream into the Minneapolis area.

These market gains have helped offset loss of shelf space in Roundy's supermarkets including most Copps and Pick 'n Saves.

"Retail is brutal," Kohlwey said, noting Roundy's decision to make ice cream under its own brand name, and their requirement for vendors to contribute heavily to marketing campaigns.

Local shoppers can still buy Cedar Crest at the Copps Food Center in Manitowoc, but Kohlwey suspects only because the Roundy's store is in the company's hometown.

Cedar Crest continues to expand awareness of its products at special events and venues including the State Fair, Milwaukee Mile and Road America auto races, Bastille Days, and Timber Rattlers games.

Once again, on the first Friday of Milwaukee's gigantic music festival, Summerfest — this year on June 29 — Cedar Crest is offering a free admission ticket to the first 1,500 patrons who bring any two pint lids, two quart lids, or one 48-ounce lid.

It never takes long for Cedar Crest fans to turn in the lids and go through the Summerfest turnstiles. Once inside, the company also operates an ice cream booth, where Caramel Collision, Elephant Tracks and dozens of other flavors are sure-fire palate pleasers.

top of page