Summer is creeping to an end. The hot sun will soon be shielded by winter’s heavy clouds and sheets of white snow. What better way to celebrate the last remaining days of warmth then by visiting these vintage ice cream parlors!

Doumar’s (Est. 1904)

Located: Monticello Ave, Norfolk, VA

When Abe Doumar went to the World’s Fair in 1904 he was bitten by the sweet ice cream bug. After one of the ice cream stands ran out of paper dishes (formerly the proper way to serve ice cream) Abe decided to remedy this himself. He bought a waffle from another stand and rolled it up with the ice cream inside. Eureka! The Waffle Cone! For the remainder of the fair, he sold his sweet concoction to fair-goers.

With his family, who all emigrated from Damascus, Syria, Abe opened Doumar’s and created the first Waffle Cone machine. The business was so successful he and his brother George opened another location in Norfolk, which George would later take over completely.

The interior still holds a retro charm and yes the original waffle cone machine is still alive and kicking!

Doumar’s

Crown Candy Kitchen (Est. 1913)

Located: St. Louis Ave, St. Louis, MO

Crown Candy, located in St. Louis, is the home of the world’s oldest working soda fountain machine. In 1913 Harry Karandzieff and his best buddy, Pete Jugaloff decided to use the skills they learned in Greece to create tasty treats. The story has been passed on from generation to generation over the years and continues to use original recipes. Their specialties are hot fudge, butterscotch, and chocolate.

Crown Candy Kitchen

Chicago’s Original Rainbow (Est. 1926)

Located: Western Ave, Chicago, IL

Joseph Sapp, a guy from my home state of Ohio, started his life as an orphan on a work farm. He loved buying ice cream with the little money he earned, as an adult he decided to open his own shop with his wife in 1926. Their main draw was the original rainbow cone which consists of five layers of chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House, pistachio, and orange sherbet. His daughter would later buy the business in 1987 and continue her father’s legacy with the cone as well as her own rainbow cakes.

Rainbow Cone

McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams (Est. 1949)

Located: E. Main Street, Santa Barbara, CA

McConnell’s might be the youngest parlor on this list but for its time it was rather forward thinking. They serve nothing but organic food and have ever since 1949. The nuts, fruits, and ice cream are all organic.Oh and that ice cream is made from scratch from the grass grazed milk and cream from local artisans. In addition to their regular store, they also have their very own ice cream truck called the McTruck. Thankfully, McDonald’s has nothing to do with it.

McConnell’s

Lagomarcino’s Confectionery (Est. 1908)

Located: E. 11th Street, Davenport, IA

Angelo Lagomarcino of Northern Italy founded Lagomarcino’s in 1908 with his wife and three children. The confectionery was taken over by his son after both his brother and sister died, together with his wife and eight children they kept the family business going. The original booths were custom made and still remain to this day as do the handcrafted lamps from New York’s famous Tiffany Co.

Lagomarcino’s

Where is your favorite place to eat ice cream?

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