Published: February 10, 2006 10:21 pm            

Serendipity

More than just another ice cream shop

Ser•en•dip•ity. noun. 1. luck or good fortune in finding something accidentally, especially something like a coffee, dessert and sandwich shop.

Tucked away off Dixon Road on Valentine Drive, Serendipity — one of Kokomo’s newest sweet spots — is all that and more, says co-owner Anabel Hackett.

“It’s a place to find good things by surprise or unexpectedly,” she said.

From Dutch coffees to hand-dipped ice cream to soups and sandwiches, Serendipity offers you many chances to be surprised.

Decked out in warm melon and pink colors and cool purples, the shop’s decor seamlessly merges the comfortable Hoosier family restaurant with a bright and cheery ice cream shop. Plainly put, the decorations — like the desserts — are charming and sweet.

Their signature drink is their “frrrozen hot chocolate,” a rich and creamy blend of 14 kinds of chocolate, topped with whipped cream, Oreo cookie crumbles and a cherry.

“It’s even pretty to look at,” Hackett said, with a smile.

In the mood for something a little less liquid, but just as luscious?

Serendipity also carries the South Bend Chocolate Company’s signature creations and sells them by the pound, and they’ve got a whole assortment of muffins, cheesecakes and cakes.

After Hackett and her husband, Charlie, retired, they decided to open the shop.

“I’ve always wanted just a coffee, sandwich and ice cream shop, especially when you have your friends come in and work with you,” she said.

The shops employees consist of Hackett’s best friends and sorority sisters and a few high school kids. She said the group has a great time serving customers and scooping up their 16 flavors of hand-dipped Glover’s ice cream.

But don’t be fooled into thinking Serendipity is just a little sweet shop. It also serves a selection of sandwiches and lunch favorites every day.

The soups are all homemade and they rotate daily, but you can grab some of their loaded baked potato soup every day. That one is so popular, it stays on the menu seven days a week.

If you’re in the mood for something a little bit lighter, they make a killer chef salad with all the fixings, and the drive-through window lets customers in a hurry enjoy too.

Any way you slice it, that’s a little taste of serendipity. [ f]



Serendipity

• ADDRESS: 2314 Valentine Drive, behind Hoosier Wholesale and Arby’s on Dixon Road.

• PHONE: (765) 457-1636.

• HOURS: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 8 p.m. Sunday

• SERVES: hand-dipped ice cream, homemade soups, chef salad, sandwiches, coffee, desserts, fountain drinks and — of course — their signature “frrrozen hot chocolate.”

• PRICE: The most expensive item on the menu is $3.75. How’s that for affordable?

• WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE: Yes.

• SMOKING: All nonsmoking, but there will be seating outside in warmer weather.



Erin Shultz may be reached at (765) 454-8587 or via e-mail at erin.shultz@kokomotribune.com.

        

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