For true ice cream lovers in the Hudson Valley, there’s nothing quite as wonderful as a crunchy waffle cone filled to the brim with creamy scoops. Ice cream may be a chilly affair, but its potential for enjoyment can’t be bound to a single calendar season. After all, it’s just as delightful during the dog days of summer as it is paired with a cider donut come fall or even partnered with a cup of hot cocoa in winter.
In Cold Spring, Sweet E’s Ice Cream makes picking up a cone (or cup or even an ice cream sandwich) easier than ever for locals with a sweet tooth. Open since late-June, the newish ice cream shop welcomes locals to stop by its Route 9 location for a unique treat in the Hudson Valley.
“After working at multiple ice cream shops in both NY and FL, I knew that I wanted to own my own shop one day,” explains owner Irini Pavlou. “I have always enjoyed the fast-paced environment that comes with food service.”
For Pavlou, who runs the shop with her fiancée Gia, the foray into an ice cream shop alongside Vera’s Marketplace and Marbled Meat Shop is a family affair.
“My grandparents bought Vera’s Marketplace, originally the Philipstown Farm Market, in 1982, and it has been family-owned and -operated for over 40 years,” Pavlou notes. “Growing up hanging around the market, it made sense to incorporate Sweet E’s into the family building. Every day, four generations of women and the Giordano men are hard at work in this building that holds so many cherished family memories. We are beyond blessed to always have family around.”
Named after Pavlou’s daughter, Enza, Sweet E’s is a walk-up-only ice cream window in the corner of the Vera’s Marketplace building. The shop may be small, but it stands out even from the roadway thanks to its giant, highly Instagrammable pink sign covered with flowers and neon lettering. (And yes, it is the perfect backdrop for those ice cream photo ops.) At the counter, ordering is easy and approachable, with multiple flat-screen TVs displaying menus for visitors to browse the options.
Speaking of options, there are enough to warrant multiple return trips to the Putnam County sweet shop. Sweet E’s serves ice cream from the Carmel Creamery, based in Carmel, which is handcrafted using Hudson Valley dairy. Flavors rotate based on season and availability, so expect anything from the fan-favorite salted caramel to strawberry basil, lemon coconut, and blackberry matcha. The store offers dairy-free and vegan options as well, and rotates in varying selections from other brands such as Giffords and Hood to make sure every experience is unique.
Of course, ice cream isn’t the only reason to plan a visit. While hard scoops may be the name of the game, visitors should keep an eye out for the homemade ice cream sandwiches, dog treats, hand-packed pints, and ice cream flights. Specials rotate often, so don’t skip out on the homemade chipwiches or the spicy mangonadas when in season.
After ordering from the window, locals are welcome to hang out by the seating out front before venturing over to Marbled or Vera’s for a spot of shopping.
“Ample seating out front invites you to sit and enjoy your ice cream next to the beautiful flower gardens that provide fresh herbs used in Marbled’s delicious food and wildflowers for the pollinators,” Pavlou notes. “We have worked hard to make Sweet E’s a fun hangout spot for all ages!”
With fall officially underway in the Hudson Valley, Sweet E’s is excited to collaborate with its neighbor on seasonal offerings. Since Vera’s famous apple cider donuts are made fresh daily next-door by Pavlou’s mother, Joanne, it only makes sense for the ice cream shop to serve a Vera’s donut sandwich, sundae, and handcrafted donut ice cream.
“We are planning some exciting fall treats and activities to enjoy while picking out your pumpkins next door,” Pavlou enthuses. “As the year progresses, we will explore staying open year-round. We want to provide everyone with lots of unique take-home goodies when the weather isn’t ‘sit-down’ friendly. We are excited for what is to come, and we know it will be sweet!”
Sweet E’s Ice Cream
3091 Rte 9, Cold Spring
