Kilwin's serves modern treats with old-fashioned flavor

The old-fashioned ice cream parlor has yet to vanish from Ann Arbor. Establishments like Kilwin's continue to preserve the antiquity of ice cream service.

Opened in 1996, Kilwin's Ice Cream Parlor is a unique departure from the usual brightly lit, tile-floored ice cream shops of today. Located on 109 E. Liberty, its atmosphere is anything but modern. Hardwood floors, brick walls, floral wallpaper and soft lighting contribute to a warm, comfortable look. Old-fashioned knickknacks are displayed in the shelves and slow music can be heard in the background.

"We don't play anything but blues, jazz and classical music," said Heather Booker, the ice cream parlor's manager. "I'd describe this place as cozy and old-fashioned."

Next door to the ice cream parlor is Kilwin's Chocolate Shoppe, which has been open since 1983. The chocolate store offers an assortment of traditional Kilwin's handmade chocolates, and until last year, ice cream was sold there as well. When Karen P

LOUIS BROWN/Daily Kilwin's, on Liberty Street, serves up an old-time feel with its ice cream.

iehutkoski, owner of the chocolate shop, wanted to offer more flavors of ice cream, she opened the ice cream parlor a year and half ago. The two stores are kept separate, however.

"We wanted two different looks, so the stores are not attached," said Mary Dunham, manager of the chocolate shop. "The chocolate shop gives you a cozy feeling, it's smaller, but the ice cream parlor is larger and has a more traditional look."

Both Kilwin's stores are part of the Kilwin's franchise, started in 1947 by Don and Katy Kilwin. The couple created the first recipes for handmade chocolates in Petoskey, Michigan. Today, there are 19 Kilwin's shops in Michigan, including several on Mackinac Island. The shop caters to a variety of customers. "We get a lot of business people," said Dunham. Booker added that students and couples are more frequent on the weekends. The ice cream parlor offers a more formal, "dressy" place for dessert, as opposed to other establishments in Ann Arbor, such as Stucchi's. "It's a good place to go, say, after a date, whereas Stucchi's is more of a student hangout," said LSA first-year student Courtnee Clark.

The primary attraction of the shop is, of course, the food. Kilwin's offers handmade ice cream from its own recipes in 27 flavors, including two kinds of fat-free, sugar-free sorbets and two of lowfat yogurt.

Everything in the chocolate shop and ice cream parlor is made from the Kilwin's kitchen in Petoskey. "One of our most popular flavors is chocolate peanut butter," said Booker. A cone usually costs $2.25, rather exorbitant for a scoop of ice cream. "It is expensive, but it's worth it," said Dunham.

In addition to ice cream and drinks, the ice cream parlor sells tantalizing candies, caramel apples, turtle pretzel rods and an assortment of gifts. "We get a lot of comments from people about the fact that we sell gifts," Booker said. "You can purchase candles, candlestands, picture frames, gift bags. It really makes us unique."

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