Happy Birthday America!
Over the past few evenings, I’ve spent a lot of time in our kitchen making batch after batch of ice cream as we prepare for the Fourth of July week and America’s 250th birthday celebration. Somewhere between the mixers, the freezers, and another batch of Italian water ice, I found myself thinking about traditions.
As America prepares to celebrate 250 years, we’re celebrating more than just our nation’s history. We’re celebrating the stories, values, recipes, friendships, and traditions that have been passed from one generation to the next by countless families. Those are the things that connect us, remind us where we came from, and become part of who we are.
That got me thinking about the traditions that have found their way into our own little kitchen.
When Bob Mento taught me how to make his Italian water ice, he wasn’t just giving me recipes. He was passing along a tradition that had become part of Ventnor’s history. Today, every batch of our Italian water ice is still made by me, one small batch at a time, right here in our kitchen. I still use Bob’s recipes. I still use the same machines. I even use the same measuring cups he handed down to me.
That tradition continues every single day.
Over the years, we’ve added our own chapter to that story by creating our premium hard ice cream. Every one of our 24 flavors is made by me, one small batch at a time, using a rich 16% butterfat mix and premium ingredients. Many of our sauces, bases, and inclusions are made right here in our own kitchen because I believe great ice cream starts long before it goes into the freezer.
Our soft serve has its own tradition. For more than 20 years we’ve served the same premium 10% butterfat mix, carefully adjusted to keep the air to a minimum. The result is a richer, creamier soft serve that generations of families have come to love.
And then there’s Agnes.
Every cookie, brownie, carrot cake, and so many of the baked treats we serve are made from scratch by Agnes in our kitchen using premium ingredients. When you order one of our ice cream sandwiches, you’re enjoying our premium soft serve nestled between cookies or brownies that Agnes baked herself.
As if that wasn’t enough tradition for one little kitchen, our waffles have a story of their own.
They’re still made from scratch using a treasured family recipe that was handed down to me by Westine Smith of West Virginia. Westine was the mother of my longtime friend and business partner, Doug Smith. Doug and I worked together for many years before building a technology business together, and through that friendship I was given a recipe that has now become part of North Beach Cafe & Creamery.
Every morning we mix that batter from scratch, just as it has been made for generations. The result is a waffle that’s crisp on the outside, light and tender on the inside, and unlike any waffle you’ve probably ever had.
As I thought about all of this, I realized something that makes our little creamery truly unique.
**Every batch of hard ice cream is made by one person. Me.**
**Every batch of Italian water ice is made by one person. Me.**
**Every cookie, brownie, cake, and waffle is made by one person. Agnes.**
Every scoop has a story.
Every batch has a name and a face behind it.
Not in another city.
Not in a factory.
Not for dozens of locations.
Right here.
In one kitchen.
By the two people who own the business.
Very few places can honestly say that every scoop, every batch, every cookie, every brownie, and every waffle has a story—and that every one of those stories was handed from one person to another before it ever reached your table.
That’s the tradition we’re proud to carry on.
As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday this week, we’re also celebrating the traditions that make our communities special—craftsmanship, pride, friendship, hard work, and taking the time to do things the right way, even when there are easier ways.
From all of us at North Beach Cafe & Creamery, thank you for letting us become part of your family’s traditions. Whether you’ve been visiting since the days of Mento’s or just discovered us this summer, we’re honored every time you walk through our doors.
Recipes can be written on paper.
Traditions are passed from one person to another.
**We’re grateful that so many of you have made us part of your family’s traditions.**
**This kitchen is built on both.**
Happy Fourth of July, and Happy 250th Birthday, America!
— John & Agnes
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