The owner of this little ice cream shop bought it in 2003 and decided not to change a single thing about how it looks. Not one thing.
I love that kind of stubbornness when it protects something good.
The waffle cones get rolled by hand right in the shop. The ice cream is homemade, and the owner even bumped up the butterfat to make it richer.
That alone would get my attention on any road trip.
Then there’s the candy section in the back, stocked during the busy season.
Sundaes, banana splits, floats, and milkshakes round out a menu that feels borrowed from an old soda fountain.
I believe Virginia has plenty of sweet stops, but few feel this frozen in time on purpose.
So what happens when a shop refuses to chase trends for decades?
An Owner Who Proudly Kept Everything Exactly The Same
Most new owners repaint, rearrange, or rebrand within a month. Chris Williams bought Sweet Things Ice Cream Shoppe in 2003 and went the other direction entirely.
He took over from Roger and Barbara Schultz and left the look of the place alone. He has said he hasn’t changed a thing about the look of this local staple.
That choice wasn’t laziness. Williams considers the atmosphere very important to the business and the people who love it.
Customers feel connected to the shop and even a bit of ownership over it. That makes sense when a favorite spot looks the same as it did years ago.
Plenty of businesses chase whatever is trendy this season. Sweet Things decided the best upgrade was no upgrade at all, at least for the walls.
The shop itself opened in 1982, so it isn’t truly a century old. Still, the old-timey feel does a fine job of making the calendar seem optional.
I like that kind of restraint. In a world of constant remodels, a place that stays put feels oddly refreshing.
It also means a grown-up can bring their own kids and point to the same counter they once leaned on.
Those Hand-Rolled Waffle Cones Are The Real Headliner
Fresh waffle cones rolled by hand in the shop. That’s the detail that turns a simple cone into a small event.
Sweet Things Ice Cream Shoppe is famous for these cones, and they earn the attention. Making them in-house means you’re not getting something shipped in a box from far away.
Some cones even come dipped in chocolate. The owner once suggested pairing Cinnamon Graham with Pumpkin Pie in a chocolate-dipped waffle cone around Halloween and Thanksgiving.
That sounds like a seasonal plan worth putting on the calendar. Honestly, it sounds like a reason to plan a fall trip around dessert.
A good waffle cone changes the whole experience. It adds crunch, a toasty sweetness, and a sturdy base for heavier scoops.
Here’s a practical tip for first-timers. Go for a cone at least once, even if you usually order a cup.
Cups have their place, especially for little kids or messy car rides. But skipping the cone here feels like ordering pancakes and refusing the syrup.
Grab extra napkins too. Real ice cream melts fast, and a crisp cone won’t stop gravity from doing its job.
Richer Scoops Thanks To A Little Extra Butterfat
Butterfat is the secret word every ice cream lover should know. Chris Williams raised the butterfat percentage after taking over, and that tweak makes for a richer scoop.
More butterfat usually means a creamier, smoother result. It’s the difference between dessert and a frozen snack you forget about.
The flavors at Sweet Things Ice Cream Shoppe are homemade and made fresh daily. The shop has also picked up awards for its ice cream over the years.
The owner has said the shop offers 24 homemade flavors. That’s enough to keep any indecisive person busy at the counter for a while.
Seasonal flavors rotate in too. Fall maple, Pumpkin Pie, and Cinnamon Graham have all appeared, along with a Lemon Oreo that has fans.
Classic picks like chocolate, mint chocolate chip, strawberry, coffee, and Oreo show up as well. Sherbet and sorbet options give fruit lovers something lighter.
My advice is simple. Pick one flavor you know and one you’ve never tried before.
That way you get comfort and adventure in the same trip. If the new one wins, you’ve found your next favorite.
Sundaes, Floats, And Shakes Straight Off An Old Fountain Menu
A banana split might be the most cheerful dessert ever invented. It shows up on the menu here alongside a whole lineup of soda fountain favorites.
Sundaes come with ice cream, toppings, whipped cream, and a cherry on top. Milkshakes often get the whipped cream and cherry treatment too.
Floats are on the list as well. Few desserts feel more old-school than a float, so ordering one fits the mood perfectly.
Soda fountains grew hugely popular in the 1920s, especially during Prohibition. They became sweet social hubs where neighbors met over shakes and sundaes.
Sweet Things Ice Cream Shoppe officially calls itself an ice cream shop. But this menu carries that same fountain spirit without trying too hard.
A sundae is a smart pick for sharing. Two spoons and one dish can feel like a small celebration.
Shakes work better if you’re walking around downtown afterward. They travel well and keep your hands mostly clean.
Cakes and pies also appear on the menu. So yes, you can technically build a full dessert meal and call it research.
Save Room For The Candy Corner In Back
Ice cream gets top billing, but the back of the shop holds a sneaky bonus. Specialty candies line the space, and they add a whole extra layer of fun.
The owner has explained that candy is stocked during peak season so it stays fresh. Plan accordingly if a candy run is part of your mission.
Nostalgic picks have included giant jawbreakers and cola-flavored gummies. Those are the kinds of treats that make adults suddenly act ten years old.
Candy also helps groups where not everyone wants ice cream. Somebody always claims they’re not hungry, then eyes a bag of gummies.
It’s a handy option for anyone who wants a sweet souvenir for later. Candy survives a car ride much better than a scoop of mint chip.
I can’t imagine leaving without at least peeking at the shelves. Even a quick browse feels like flipping through an old family photo album.
Kids especially love having a small choice to make on their own. Give them a budget and watch serious decision-making unfold.
Just remember the seasonal timing. Summer visits give you the best shot at a full candy lineup.
Bring Cash Or You’ll Be Staring Sadly At The Menu
Cards stay in your wallet here. Sweet Things Ice Cream Shoppe takes cash or check only, which fits the throwback vibe almost too well.
This is the single most important tip for any first visit. Plenty of travelers have learned it at the counter, which is never a fun surprise.
Stopping at an ATM before heading downtown saves you a headache. Tuck a few extra bills away so nobody has to skip the waffle cone.
Honestly, paying with cash adds to the old-fashioned feeling. It feels like the shop is quietly saying the 1980s were doing just fine.
Families should plan a little extra for candy or take-home containers. Those add up when everyone gets to choose something.
Speaking of take-home options, pints and quarts are available. They make a great choice for parties or for eating later on the couch.
A quart in the freezer is basically a promise to your future self. Your future self will be very grateful.
So check your wallet before you park. A little planning makes the whole sweet stop smooth and easy.
A Shenandoah Valley Trophy Sits Behind All That Sugar
Back in 2014, Virginia Living magazine handed out its Best of 2014 Awards. Sweet Things Ice Cream Shoppe took top honors as the Best Ice Cream Shop in the Shenandoah Valley.
That’s a big region with plenty of competition. Winning there says a lot about a small shop with homemade scoops and hand-rolled cones.
The shop has stood as a Lexington landmark for over 30 years. That kind of staying power doesn’t happen by accident.
Awards are nice, but consistency matters more to most of us. A place that keeps quality steady year after year earns real trust.
The owner’s choice to raise butterfat shows a focus on the product itself. Small decisions like that tend to show up in every bite.
Honors like this also make the shop a solid pick for visitors new to the area. You’re not gambling on a random stop off the highway.
I believe recognition means the most when a place still acts humble. Sweet Things keeps doing its quiet, cone-rolling thing.
No flashy makeover followed the award either. Why fix what an entire valley already liked?
Downtown Lexington Makes The Perfect Scoop-And-Stroll Spot
Location is half the charm. You’ll find Sweet Things Ice Cream Shoppe at 106 W Washington St, Lexington, VA 24450.
That puts it right in downtown Lexington, Virginia. It’s an easy stop while exploring the historic streets of this college town.
Washington and Lee University sits nearby, which makes the shop a handy treat for campus visits. Touring schools is tiring, and ice cream fixes that.
A cone in hand makes window shopping feel more like a mini vacation. Walking slowly also gives you time to finish before it melts.
Hours can shift by season, so check before you go. Recent hours show the shop closed on Mondays and opening at 2 PM most other days.
Friday and Saturday open earlier at noon. Weekends give you more time to fit dessert between other plans.
The shop is wheelchair accessible, though there’s one step at the entrance. Knowing that ahead of time helps families plan.
It’s also group-friendly, which matters for road trips and team outings. Bring the crew and let everyone argue happily over flavors.
Your Next Family Tradition Might Start At This Counter
Some desserts get eaten and forgotten. Others turn into a yearly ritual that kids remember long after they grow up.
Sweet Things Ice Cream Shoppe has that tradition-making quality baked right in. The unchanged look means each visit connects to the last one.
Indoor seating gives families a spot to sit instead of juggling cones on the sidewalk. A water fountain is there too, which parents of sticky toddlers will appreciate.
The staff has been known to offer samples. That’s helpful for picky eaters who need a tiny taste test before committing.
Seasonal flavors make repeat visits fun. A fall trip might bring maple or Pumpkin Pie, while summer brings a fuller candy selection.
Try starting a simple tradition. Each family member picks a new flavor every visit and ranks it on the drive home.
Before long, you’ll have a running list of winners and debates. Nobody agrees, and that’s half the fun.
Virginia offers plenty of road trip stops, but few feel this personal. Some places just make you want to come back, cash in hand and appetite ready.
