INSIDE SCOOP

The Jigger Shop

202 Gettysburg Ave, Mount Gretna, PA 17064

Seasonal: May to September: Tues-Sun Noon-9pm

Set in the southwest corner of Lebanon County, nestled into the South Mountains of Pennsylvania, you will find a small community which is celebrating its 130 year of existence. Mount Gretna was conceived by Mr. Robert Coleman and developed into a summer community which encompassed many purposes and peoples.

In 1885, the lake was produced by damming the Conewago Creek and a railroad station was completed to ferry folks in for the summer. A narrow-gauge rail was also put in which ran up the mountain to Governor Dick Tower, a popular lookout from which four counties and 2000 square miles may be seen.

The summer programs expanded into a community and way of life, undertaken by two separate organizations, the Mt. Gretna Campmeeting Association and the Pennsylvania Chautauqua. The original Chautauqua began in 1874 at Chautauqua Lake, New York, and was intended as a summer institute for the teaching of Sunday school teachers, but has grown to include all manner of experiences, focusing on the four pillars of Chautauqua: arts, education, recreation and religion.

While the Mt. Gretna Campmeeting Assoc. developed, the idea was put forth and a charter was granted, in 1892, for the Pennsylvania Chautauqua to be established for “The advancement of literary and scientific attainment among the people, and the promotion of popular culture in the interest of Christianity." Mr. Coleman sold 80 acres for $3,000 to the Chautauqua on which cottages and public building sprang, as well as an auditorium and Inn. Over these 130 years, the Chautauqua community has developed its 88 acre wooded area to include 200 homes, numerous parks, recreational and cultural facilities – like the Hall of Philosophy - activities and, the reason we were here, the Jigger Shop.

During our Summer Solstice Rally, on our way to Shippensburg, PA, we made a lunch/ice cream stop at the Jigger Shop. Nestled in the peaceful setting of Mt. Gretna’s Chautauqua, and developed over its 130 years, it was a great place to stretch the legs, fill the belly and cool off with some ice cream.

Their savory menu is quite varied, including everything from salads to sandwiches. While looking at the board, I was torn between a simple tomato stuffed with chicken salad, the Lebanon County Banquet (grilled sweet bologna on a warm pretzel bun with provolone cheese and spicy brown mustard) or a chicken bacon ranch wrap. As we had miles to go, I settled on the wrap, as I knew there was ice cream to come. It fit the bill just fine, as I stole some of Brian’s fries which came with his basket.

After taking a short walk around the grounds and seeing what the Chautauqua had to offer and perusing the curiosity shop next door with its many variations of Big Foot, I headed back to the counter to claim my cup. The Jigger makes its own ice cream and had quite a selection from which to choose. With all the berries in season now, it was hard not to go with Strawberry or Blueberry Cheesecake. Also enticing was Chocolate Éclair and Peanut Butter Ripple. But I opted for Espresso Chip as I knew I’d be sharing with Brian and he’s a coffee junky. Good choice indeed.

If you stop in just for ice cream, their sundaes look amazing, with things like Apple Fritter Flambe (Beignet donuts sauteed with apples in a caramel sauce over French vanilla ice cream with whipped cream and a cherry), Campfire S’Mores (French vanilla with graham crackers, hot fudge, Hershey chocolate squares, marshmallow and pretzels served on fire), or if you are having an Amish bent, how about a Shoo-Fly Pie Sundae (slice of PA Dutch shoo-fly pie with French vanilla topped with molasses, whipped cream, shoo-fly crumbles and a cherry) or Whoopie Pie Sundae (chocolate éclair ice cream topped with hot fudge, a PA Dutch chocolate whoopie pie, whipped cream and, of course, a cherry).

Those are just a VERY few of their concoctions which accompany their slew of shakes, floats and smoothies, as well as a healthy, and I do mean healthy, assortment of Acai bowls such as Acai with granola, almond dust, bananas, crushed cacao and honey. Not enough, or any, ice cream for me but, hey, you go for it.

The Jigger Shop is in a great riding area. Since we have it, here’s the 90 mile one-way route we took from Martin Guitar, in Nazareth, PA for our Summer Soiree. If you are going during the week, the Martin Factory tour is well worth the $5, as is their museum.

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