3-26-2025 4:02am

The Peppermint Stick Ice Cream Parlor: a Long-Time Dream Realized

Lesley Misko Editor

Editor's note: Congratulations to Rachael and Gene Kehler, owners of The Peppermint Stick Candy Store and The Peppermint Stick Ice Cream Parlor, for being recognized in a video production created by the Telecommunications students of Boyertown High School at the upcoming TriCounty Chamber of Commerce dinner featuring companies that are new to serving the community and/or have made renovations and improvements to their buildings to beautify the area. The Expression was given a preview of the ice cream parlor prior to its opening and attended its ribbon cutting. The venue has quickly become a popular attraction in downtown Boyertown.

by Jane Stahl

September 6, 2024, saw yet another successful idea come to fruition to enhance the Boyertown culinary scene: The Peppermint Stick Ice Cream Parlor, a long-time dream of owner Rachael Kehler and husband Gene, opened to an eager crowd.

Rachael offers, "It's been a lot of fun watching the community come in and enjoy the space." I can add that it's been a delightful scene watching scores of patrons all afternoon on their way to enjoy ice cream during the venue's recent Leprechaun Hunt or hear about friends who insist on taking their friends to enjoy a special treat in this extraordinary vintage space the Kehlers have created.

The Kehlers have been preparing for this venture for years, waiting for just the right time and the right space. Rachael's been networking and collecting items for years from businesses that were closing or from owners trying to rid their venues of items they could no longer use.

She found her favorite tables, chairs, and stools from an old ice cream parlor in Royersford. She scoured Facebook Marketplace.

Vintage calendars and posters were donated from assorted places like the Museum of Historic Vehicles.

She came across a radio, and a pinball machine with a letter inside documenting its history.

But walking into the ice cream parlor for the first time was a treat in itself.

During our tour she shared stories of where the pieces originated or how they were created. She shares Gene's designs and carpentry challenges as he created the counter, installed the mirror and stained glass windows, for example.

She speaks of the volunteers who spent hours polishing stools or otherwise preparing for the opening. Smiling, she offers, "I really lucked out. I found people and items at just the right moments."

In designing her ice cream parlor, Rachael was determined to fashion it with a 40's vibe. "I wanted authentic; I didn't want to buy from Amazon," she explains. "Everyone expects a 50's vibe for ice cream parlors--lots of Coca Cola, black and white square floor tiles, gleaming, highly polished stools," she shares. "But for me I wanted folks to go back a bit further in time. My favorite decade is the 40's. It's the decade where women got their independence--working in factories, for example. Everyone was helping each other for the country. I just didn’t want what everyone expected, and I've found that people get excited remembering the past."

Before making the decision to rent the space, Gene checked it out to see if the venue could be altered for their purpose and in the process got excited about the venture as well. Gene works on old homes and buildings. "He's an artist in his own way," Rachael adds.

"But we never thought the dentist would leave the space. Yet when he came to us with the possibility, it became an opportunity we couldn't resist. They were wonderful in removing everything quickly. Plus, the building's owners, Brian and Wendy Gilbert, have just been so supportive and wonderful in all ways. They worked with us; they're part of the place--happy for the creativity and work ethic they see in our management. Everything came together smoothly. Gene was here or in his workshop every day readying for the opening."

The ice cream parlor shows its creativity in "designing" the soda menu featuring a variety of flavors.

A sundae is named for a patron; "Dave the Duck" comes complete with a tiny rubber duck.

As Rachael considers creating the "old time" experience, she has hired staff who share her vision. She has outfits for the staff to include bowties and aprons. She's found hair tutorials created from photographs of the era to create the 40's vibe.

Since the ice cream parlor opened, it has been a place to celebrate. They've hosted a few birthday parties, a gender reveal party, and an on-going lively pinball competition between husband and wife couple in their late 70's or early 80's. "They come in, get ice cream, and then play each other on the pinball machine. The husband lovingly calls his wife the pinball wizard," recalls Rachael.

"And we're celebrating that we have been featured in Pennsylvania magazine and are scheduled to be featured on Berks County Views."

Rachael and Gene Kehler have put their hearts into their work—the Peppermint Stick Candy Store and their most recent project—the Peppermint Stick Ice Cream Parlor. Rachael serves as the president of the Boyertown Area Historical Society--both love history, and through their work allow others to take a bit of a trip back in time.

What a testimony of their creativity, research, networking, skills, and remarkable energy the vintage ice cream parlor showcases! Boyertown is fortunate to have their hearts and projects smack dab in the middle of town.

A previous article about the Kehler's accomplishments and passions has appeared previously in The Boyertown Area Expression. Visit the article here: Rachael & Gene Kehler