Charlie's Homemade Ice Cream & Burgers usually does not have a breakfast menu.
This year, that changes.
“This year we will have French toast, bacon and eggs, and more for breakfast,” said Cindy Ursell, Charlie’s owner. “We’ve also been testing new ice creams just for national Ice Cream for Breakfast Day.”
Yes, Ice Cream for Breakfast Day is a thing. It’s Saturday, and it will be observed at Charlie’s from 8 a.m. until noon. The day is a celebration of eating the sweet dairy dessert at any time of the day.
“We will have maple bacon ice cream, doughnut ice cream sandwiches, and cinnamon roll sundaes,” Mrs. Ursell said. “We have other breakfast-themed ice cream including blueberry Pop-Tart and Cinnamon Toast Crunch.”
Charlie’s, located at 6600 Sylvania Ave. in Sylvania, also will be offering a “fruit salad” that layers banana, peach, and strawberry ice creams. Sundaes with kids’ cereal toppings will also be available, Mrs. Ursell said.
Charlie’s makes its own ice cream in house. It will be using baked goods for the ice cream sandwiches from Geer Edibles Family Bakery located in Sylvania’s Mayberry Square. Ice cream can also be purchased by the pint and quart.
“This is the first time we are doing the special breakfast day,” she said. “We are looking forward to it. We are hoping to meet many new people as well.”
Tiffany Bosch, owner of Mayberry Ice Cream, 5645 Mayberry Square E. in Sylvania, participated in the Ice Cream for Breakfast day last year. This year, her shop decided to hold a taste test with local celebrities and her staff to decide on where the doughnuts for the day would come from.
“Last year our team decided which doughnuts we would use,” Ms. Bosch said. “We decided on using local celebrities to help pick the doughnut we would use.”
Judges included Veronica Motley, superintendent of Sylvania schools, Sylvania Mayor Mark Frye, and Pat McCarty, known as Guy in the 419.
This year, they will be using doughnuts by Main Street Sweets of Sylvania.
Colleen Barnhart, owner of Main Street Sweets, 5639 Main St., said she was very surprised about winning the doughnut competition.
“I had no idea they were doing it,” Ms. Barnhart said. “They just ordered a dozen doughnuts for the day. Later on I saw a post from Mayberry Ice Cream and Guy in the 419 about the taste competition. I was just very surprised about winning. It was a friendly competition, and we have very good bakeries here.”
Ms. Barnhart said she was told by Ms. Bosch that she will be placing a large order for the Ice Cream for Breakfast event. She does not have an exact number of doughnuts yet.
The bakery offers nine types of doughnuts including apple fritters, jelly balls, and doughnuts with sprinkles. Blueberry and cinnamon chip scones, pecan rolls, cookies, cupcakes, and turnovers can also be found.
“I know Mayberry Ice Cream held this event last year and it was popular,” Ms. Barnhart said. “I am sure it will be growing each year now. I am just honored and excited to be a part of it.”
Ms. Bosch said Mayberry Ice Cream will have a set menu featuring waffles, doughnuts, affogatos, coffee, and more. The store will offer a cereal mixer.
“People can choose their favorite flavor of ice cream, pick a sauce, and choose which cereal option they want on top,” she said. “We will also have a waffle sundae which features a warm waffle, two scoops of their ice cream of choice, and whatever toppings they want.”
Mayberry uses hard scoop ice cream by Independent Dairy of Monroe, Ms. Bosch said. Toppings include Oreos, fudge, caramel, M&M’s, and more.
“The first 15 families in the door will get a mystery gift bag,” she said. “People who wear their pajamas can be entered to win ice cream for a year.”
Ice cream can be purchased in pints and quarts, bowls, and cones. Mayberry Ice Cream will be open for this event and then close for another month.
“This is a unique event for the ice cream industry,” Ms. Bosch said. “Last year we saw many new faces and many returned after the event.”
Freight House Coffee Co., 16 South Stadium Rd. in Oregon, is mostly known for its coffee but will be participating in this year’s event.
“Freight House Coffee Company is participating in Ice Cream for Breakfast Day to bring the community together in a fun, family-friendly way,” owner Jeremy Haase said. “It’s a unique opportunity to celebrate our year-round ice cream offerings while highlighting our commitment to creating memorable experiences.”
Freight House will be offering an ice cream doughnut sundae, a few ice-cream-with-cereal options like Frosted Flakes with peaches and ice cream, and waffle sundaes, Mr. Haase said.
“Nothing crazy. We are just a coffee shop and not a full restaurant,” he said. “This event perfectly aligns with our mission of fostering community connections and allows customers to enjoy creative ice cream dishes paired with our specialty coffee for a playful and indulgent morning treat.”
Edie’s Ice Cream, 2349 Woodville Rd. in Oregon, will be offering its specials from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
“I took over Edie’s in May so this is the first time we are participating in the event,” owner Daisy Cano said. “This is also the first time we are open year-round. I think it will be fun to create different specials for this event.”
Ms. Cano said Edie’s will have waffle sundaes, cereal shakes, and flurries.
“We will have chocolate waffles, and people can pick their toppings,” Ms. Cano said. “Because it is breakfast we will also have affogatos. The drink is made up of coffee and vanilla ice cream.”
Edie’s is also offering half off ice cream sundaes to anyone who comes in before noon.
“The promotion may go longer depending on weather,” she said.
According to timeanddate.com, a website that, among other things, lists “funny, random, and weird holidays,” it is thought that the unofficial holiday Ice Cream for Breakfast Day was first created in the 1960s by Florence Rappaport in Rochester, N.Y., as a way to entertain her children on a cold and snowy morning.
Her idea took root and has now become a holiday celebrated by people around the world.
First Published January 29, 2025, 11:00 a.m.