Hannah Leckey and Dustin LeBlanc
Dustin LeBlanc credits his mother, Faye, for instilling in him an appreciation of sweets, especially ice cream, as he was growing up.
So, when he and longtime friend Duke Slifko were considering names for their new ice cream shop in New Cumberland, they chose to honor her.
Faye’s Ice Cream Parlor, promising “vintage vibes and fresh flavors,” opened at the end of March inside the former Hanna’s Ice Cream Shoppe on Bridge Street.
LeBlanc works full-time as managing director of the West Shore Theatre, right next door to Faye’s, but says his “vice in life is ice cream.” When the owners of Hanna’s decided to sell the business last summer, LeBlanc and Slifko took a serious look at buying.
“We love New Cumberland, and we love what’s going on here with the downtown revitalization,” LeBlanc said. “When we looked at all the variables, everything lined up, and it seemed like the right thing to do at the right time. I’m very fortunate that I get to do theater and ice cream, two things that make people happy in this sometimes-crazy world.”
For Slifko, a highway engineer by day, the ice cream venture is a creative outlet.
“It affords me the opportunity to be someone else besides the nerdy engineer who loves math,” he said. “I like to say, ‘no one orders ice cream when they’re mad,’ and I have yet to find anyone who does. It’s a fun experience for not only us but, hopefully, our patrons.”
After many months of preparation, the shop opened to a great response from the community, LeBlanc said.
“We knew people would be excited, but we were overwhelmed with how many people came and how excited they were,” he said. “It’s so rewarding to see the smiles.”
Patrons of Hanna’s will recognize the 1950s-era decor with a few additions, like a life-size likeness of Elvis Presley that greets visitors just inside the entrance.
LeBlanc and Slifko made some changes to the shop’s layout, including opening up the entryway to give people more space to settle in, check out the menu board and decide what they want before moving toward the counter. The new layout takes away the pressure of having to make a flavor decision as soon as you walk in the door, especially on hot summer days when demand is high.
“We don’t want you to settle for ice cream,” LeBlanc said. “We want you to get what you want.”
The duo also added more seating, including in the front windows looking out onto Bridge Street, and designed a 1950s-themed area at the back of the shop where visitors are encouraged to hang out and take photos.
Faye’s sources its ice cream from The Sugar Shack Creamery in Boiling Springs. LeBlanc and his mother were frequent customers at the creamery’s former location there, said Jacob Pierce, one of the family members who operates the creamery.
“We wanted to give people a different experience, and the more you can support local businesses, the better,” LeBlanc said.
Faye’s offers a rotating selection of 28 classic and new flavors, including vanilla, chocolate and butter pecan, as well as ube brownie, with a Filipino purple yam base, and Fat Elvis, a combination of banana, peanut butter and chocolate. The choices include seasonal varieties and many gluten-free options.
In addition to hand-dipped ice cream, the menu offers ice cream shop classics including soft serve, milkshakes, sundaes, floats, ice cream sandwiches, local baked goods and more.
Ultimately, LeBlanc says their new venture aims to offer something unique to the community.
“It’s more than ice cream,” he said. “It’s an experience.”
Faye’s Ice Cream Parlor is located at 321 Bridge St., New Cumberland. For more information, visit www.fayesicecreamparlor.com.
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