For the Barrys, ice cream is a passion that has been all in the family for three generations.
Barry’s Ice Cream at 105 Line Ave., Ellwood City opened its doors in April of 1993, and since then the family has been serving up yummy, creamy treats.
Barry’s will open this year on April 7 with new management at the helm, although “new” they are actually “old” employees and family members who have grown up in the business.
Sisters Kassie Klyde and Marissa Cragle both live in Fombell and went to Riverside High School, but their home growing up was basically the ice cream shop. The women are the owners/original operators (Jim’s and Cheryl’s) granddaughters and the previous operators (Rob’s and Beth’s) nieces.
“Grandma and Grandpa (Jim and Cheryll Barry) have owned it the whole time, but Aunt Karen Bell (Grandma’s sister) and Uncle Rob Barry (the owner’s son) managed it for 18 years until Aunt Beth and Uncle Rob took over,” Klyde said.
Ice cream was a no-brainer business idea for the Barry family as Grandpa Jim simply could not live without his favorite sweet treat.
“Grandpa loves his ice cream, so he decided to start his own ice cream shop,” Klyde said.
At that time in 1993, Ellwood City didn’t have an ice cream shop, and Grandpa Jim wasn’t going to let that stand.
“Grandpa couldn’t get enough ice cream, so he started his own ice cream shop with the help of John Wilson from Penn State Creamery,” Klyde said.
And with an already established, beloved family business, Kassie and Marissa decided it was their turn to give it a shot.
And according to the sisters, so far so good. Klyde said the challenges so far have been scheduling, equipment repair and having enough staff.
But no challenge is too much for the Barry family. Even through Covid when facing paper product shortages and substitutions and coin shortages, the family continued to serve their signature scoops. And the memories made it all worth it.
“Aunt Karen always enjoyed the customers and when classes would come in at the end of the school years,” Klyde said. “Uncle Rob made ‘the best ice cream they have ever had’ to keep the business coming and customers driving from afar.”
Customers and staff have basically become family for the Barrys.
According to Beth Barry, “We loved mentoring our staff into adulthood and life after their education. It was gratifying watching them grow up and into productive, happy people.”
Kassie and Marissa were two of those staff members. And their youngest sister Ryleigh will work with them at the shop this year. In addition to the sisters, Rob and Beth’s children, Maddie and Lennon, pretty much grew up there while their parents managed the shop and they worked there up until last year
Klyde said that in addition to signature flavors, the business has grown over the years by promoting on social media, adding new menu items that have become favorites, and loyal customers bringing in new friends.
Customers at Barry’s will find all sorts of sweet treats including ice cream, smoothies, milkshakes, and slushees.
“We are hoping to expand our menu in the near future,” Klyde said.
According to Klyde, the best part of owning the ice cream shop in addition to the ice cream is making new friends.
“We are looking forward to meeting new people, and being a part of the community,” she said.
A menu will be posted on Facebook where you can follow Barry’s for announcements and other news. You can also follow on Instagram: @Barrys_IceCream
“We will be opening for the season on April 7th, and we look forward to meeting new faces and hoping for a successful first year,” Klyde said.
The very best of ice cream,good people, clean business! Awesome place to take your grandchildren!