By Melissa Trenary
This summer locals and visitors in Cripple Creek have a brand new place to find all their favorite summertime treats like root beer floats, chocolate malts and banana splits.
The crew of the Cripple Creek Soda Fountain: Lou Goldman, owner; Becky Ryan, Soda Jerk; Al Gronroos, Soda Jerk; Pat Goldman, owner.
Lou and Pat Goldman, owners’ of the hugely successful Cripple Creek Candy Company recently opened the Cripple Creek Soda Fountain on Bennett Avenue. The idea for the soda fountain came at the suggestion of their candy store patrons.
“People liked the candy store so well, the soda shop idea just seemed to fit,” Lou said.
The Goldman’s started looking for the equipment last summer and were fortunate to find an original 1950 Twin Serve fountain in Peru, Kan. They purchased and completely refurbished the fountain and all the stools. The front counter is made from an antique 1938 bar that came from Colorado Springs.
The atmosphere is only a small portion of the whole experience. Al, the Soda Jerk, dressed in white apron and black bow tie is ready to serve up all the old fashioned favorites like Vanilla or Cherry Cokes, or a home made Egg Cream. Ice cream lover’s can dive into a banana split, hot fudge sundae or a handmade waffle cone. Besides all the traditional flavors, the Soda Fountain carries a variety of unique creations like Jack Daniels or Key Lime Pie flavor. This summer, the Candy Store and the Soda Fountain will coordinate the fudge flavor of the month and ice cream flavor of the month.
Soda Jerk, Al Gronroos, pours a rich, thick, delicious chocolate malt at the new Cripple Creek Soda Fountain.
All the ice creams are hand made by a creamery here in Colorado.
“We found a creamery that will make our ice creams exactly to our specifications,” said Lou. “The best part about that is we can order up any flavor we want.”
The Goldman’s plan on featuring seasonal flavors to coincide with the various holidays.
The Cripple Creek Soda Fountain also features Nathan’s all beef hotdogs and Jalapeno dogs; caramel and cheese popcorns; hot, soft pretzels; and fresh roasted Bavarian cashews, almonds and pecans.
The Soda Fountain is currently open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Beginning Memorial Day weekend, they will be open 7 days a week. They are located at 329 E. Bennett Ave.
