Sweet treats

“Honestly, there’s nothing better than ice cream. You know? It’s so American. It’s just like apple pie or cherry pie and baseball. There’s nothing more quintessential than ice cream on a hot summer day.”

This is a sentiment from Sara O’Hair, one of the owners of Junction Creamery.

Junction Creamery officially opens for the season Monday, April 6. The business is owned by four O’Hairs — Sara, MacKenzie, Patrick and Jodi.

“It’s just right around the corner,” MacKenzie said. “(It’s) good so far. We’re excited to get back in the business, just trying to refresh ourselves. It’s been awhile.”

Business hours for the month of April will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. However, as the weather gets warmer throughout the spring and summer, Junction Creamery will stay open to 10 p.m.

There will be free small ice cream cones on opening day.

“It’s a big deal,” MacKenzie said. “We’re excited to get people excited about ice cream.”

The Osceola Sentinel-Tribune was able to taste test the first chocolate and vanilla twist ice cream waffle cone of the season, and it did not disappoint.

Popular items

MacKenzie said the menu items will still be the same favorites seen in previous years.

Popular items include lemon and strawberry ice creams. Even free doggie cones are available.

This year, the business is also focusing on its barbecue menu with pulled pork, brisket and chicken. Family recipes will be used for rubs.

“For us, it’s been a couple of years.” MacKenzie said. “So, I think, just kind of a new, fresh start is where we’re at this year with all the originals that worked.”

Sara said there’s a group of new employees, and they were recently talking about how there’s hardly ever anyone that gets upset inside Junction Creamery.

“Because, who is not excited to come in and get ice cream?” Sara said. “ … It’s across the board from one to 100. Everyone’s excited.”