The Ice House

 A Dream 28 Years in the Making

When Ryan Eschenroeder was laid off,  he took it as his chance to finally open his own ice cream shop. He’d spent 28 years working in the ice cream industry for other people, and he knew exactly what he wanted to create for Hillsborough.

The Ice House isn’t your typical old-school ice cream parlor. Ryan designed it with a modern feel and put it right where families need it, surrounded by sports fields, parks, and elementary schools. Kids can bike there. Neighbors run into each other at the outdoor tables. It’s become the kind of gathering spot every town needs.

What you’ll find here is 35 flavors of hard ice cream, soft serve, frozen yogurt, vegan options, and a unique Fusion machine that turns any hard ice cream into personalized soft serve right in front of you. They mix your chosen ice cream with toppings in what looks like a drill press, and out comes something completely customized. You can design your own ice cream cakes online, grab hand-packed quarts from the freezer, and even get treats for your dog.

The staff is genuinely personable. They’ll offer you samples before you even ask and help guide you to what you’re looking for. The lines move fast despite how popular the place is, and the quality is outstanding. People say the milkshakes are thick, creamy, and rich, better than the major chains.

Ryan keeps the shop open year-round because ice cream doesn’t stop being delicious just because it’s cold outside. That’s the kind of thoughtful decision making that’s made The Ice House a local favorite.