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Sundaez Ice Cream Bar opens on Pleasant Street

By CHRIS FROST
Eagle Times News Editor
CLAREMONT, N.H. — Ice cream fans across the city rejoiced Friday, Feb. 23, as Sundaez Ice Cream Bar held its ribbon cutting, topping off opening month with a cherry on top.

Sundaez features 42 flavors, including two that are sugar-free, two dairy-free sorbets, and four frozen yogurts from Richardson Ice Cream from Middleton, Massachusetts, with a choice of toppings.

Owner Avery Osgood said they ran the Cruisin Cow Ice Cream Truck, did private events, and popped up all over the city in 2023, and the big feedback they heard was residents want ice cream in the winter.

“My dad, Phil Osgood, owns this building, and we sat out in the parking lot last summer, and it seemed to be a good location,” Avery said.

Before becoming Sundaez, she said her grandfather sold used cars on the same lot, and the location needed some remodeling.

“On the other side, where the physical therapy office is, was a big garage bay,” she said. “We came in; there was a little kitchenette in the corner, and pulled it out and started from scratch to build it exactly how we wanted it.”

Osgood loves strawberry cheesecake ice cream.

“Richardson’s Ice Cream strawberry cheesecake is very good,” she said. “We use Richardson’s Ice Cream here and on the truck.”

She has confirmed that Claremont is an ice cream loving community.

“We have lots of regulars that we see daily if not every other day,” she said. “They are die-hards.”

After trying it while in Maine, she said her uncle recommended Richardson’s Ice Cream.

“We took a ride up there, had a couple of different ones, and agreed it’s the best ice cream we’ve ever had,” Avery said. “We set up an account with them, and that’s where we get our ice cream for the truck and for here.”

She said guest feedback will greatly influence future menu items.

“What I plan to do with the menu is rotate flavors every two weeks, rotate sundaes and see what sticks and what doesn’t,” she said. “The customers prefer the scooped ice cream because there are more options.”

She said the community had welcomed the ice cream shop and the opening was better than they imagined.

“The first 10 days were non-stop,” Avery said. “We had to make four trips to Mass to get more ice cream the first two weeks were open. Now we have extra storage upstairs, and now we have room for 100ish tubs upstairs.”

She plans to stick with her timeline and introduce new items as the weather warms, continuing through the fall.

“I want to keep people intrigued and keep it changing,” she said. “There’s always something new. Last fall, we had a few events with the Cruisin Cow into October. I’m a big apple and pumpkin lover, and I have some apple flavors and some pumpkin flavors.”

She said the Cruisin Cow is being rebuilt and will be ready this spring.

“It will be for things like birthday parties, events, and weddings,” she said. “My dad gives me just the right amount of balance, lets me make my decisions, but he guides me and gives me his opinion that I appreciate.”

Dad Phil Osgood is extremely proud of his daughter Avery.

“I’m very proud of her accomplishments, and she’s going to do well,” he said. “Strawberry cheesecake is my favorite ice cream flavor. To be honest, there isn’t a bad flavor on the menu.”

Assistant Mayor Deb Matteau said the new ice cream shop is wonderful.

“I love to see families that have other businesses in town opening up more businesses,” she said. “This is a nice place.”

Mayor Dale Girard spoke at the ribbon cutting and said he loves vanilla and chocolate ice cream.

“I like it in a cup usually,” he said. “Avery and Phil have worked so hard; they started with their truck on the side of the road and turned it into a brick-and-mortar store; it’s quite an accomplishment.”

Councilor William Limoges was enjoying a cup of blueberry pie ice cream and said he’d need to do some penance when finished.

“It’s delicious, and I highly recommend it,” he said.

Sundaez Ice Cream Shop is located at 50 West Pleasant Street. Visit sundaezicecreambar.com for more information.

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