After our anniversary dinner at Old Dutch Tavern in Washington, Missouri, we decided to walk around the downtown riverfront area. The air was heavy with humidity after a quick downpour. But the walk was still very pleasant. We noticed that Washington is very clean. Streets are free of debris and lined with carefully landscaped plots of fragrant flowers and lamb’s ear. There are a multitude of historic buildings that are well cared for or renovated. We found ourselves at Main Street Creamery about three blocks from the tavern.
Main Street Creamery is a ice cream shop, bakery, and specialty milkshake shop. From the outside, the brick building looks like a quaint little shop. Once through the doors, it’s quite spacious yet homey and plenty big enough to host a several ball teams enjoying their after-game treats. The Washington, Missouri location is the original shop with another one located in Wildwood, Missouri. This place is known for their wide variety of ice cream flavors like Superman, Jolted Cow, and Chocolate Peanut Butter Revel (my choice), as well as their signature super-sized milkshakes (seriously HUGE) and treats like chocolate covered Oreos and giant cookies made into ice cream sandwiches. And the ice cream cones are dipped, sprinkled, and fancied up.
Katy let us sample as many flavors as we wanted. She was friendly, enthusiastic, and patient as we (okay, I) asked for sample after sample then finally settled on chocolate chip cookie dough and chocolate peanut butter revel, which were creamy and flavorful.
The Stark family came from Dittmer to enjoy the super-sized specialty shakes. This beautiful family was kind enough to let me take their photo. Thanks, Starks! Your kids rock!
We were not as adventurous as the Starks with our selections. We were rather basic with a hot fudge sundae and a two-scoop cup. Kevin swiped the cherry off the top before I could snag a photo. We also bought a couple chocolate-covered Oreos for later.
Main Street Creamery was the perfect ending to our anniversary date evening. The workers were diligent in their upkeep of the store and decorating Oreos and cones. They were friendly and inviting, just like the atmosphere of the entire downtown shopping district appeared. I guess it’s easy to be happy in an ice cream shop!
As we walked the few blocks back to our car, we spotted a quaint white brick building on a corner with the doors propped open. It was obviously being renovated and we stopped to talk to the owner working inside. He didn’t know us and we were clearly interrupting his work, but he graciously took time to describe in detail his plans for the space. Drywall was being removed to expose the original brick walls, which are beautiful. We can’t wait to return to see his vision come to life and find out how the space will be used.
We didn’t realize it until after we left, but the Washington Town & Country Fair runs August 2-6, so there’s still time to get tickets or a season pass. Wish we knew this ahead of time! Your ticket also includes the Main Stage concerts. Gabby Barret performed Thursday and Nelly (St. Louis’s own) on Friday. Tonight will be Big & Rich at 8:30 PM. Shooting Star takes the stage Sunday night at 7:30 followed by a fireworks display at 9:00 PM.
Head to the remainder of the WashMo Fair and take the time to visit Main Street Creamery while you’re there. See if you find the ice cream shop and the historic town as inviting as we did. Let me know what you think.
