Today it’s peaches, Wednesday it’s …..

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Do I dare eat a peach? It’s the dare of a season. And is there anything as sweet and worth waiting for as an Ontario peach? Poet Li-Young Lee‘s ode to roadside peaches speaks to the reaches we’ll go for peaches. And now that they’re in season, we have the reason to put the squeeze in for some all-natural, store-made peach ice cream. Available beginning this afternoon, Sunday, August 5, for a few peachy weeks.

 

And then by Wednesday, August 8, it’s our second annual National Frozen Custard Day, with a dollar from each soft serve and scooped frozen custard cone going to benefit Salus Ottawa, an amazing organization in our community that provides supportive housing for people with persistent mental illness. It’s a small way to show our support for an important cause that helps so many. Want to help them even more? Make a donation directly to Salus and be a part of those who give hope!

 

One year ago this week, we opened our doors on 102 Fairmont following a four month long renovation and with the support of friends, family, and of course our amazing customers it has been a year to celebrate. From now until 8pm Monday, August 6, we are asking our customers to share their memories over the past year, and we’ll be drawing randomly from responses on our Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and comments to this post for four ice cream cakes – including a peach ice cream cake! 

 

And speaking of Civic Holiday Monday, we will be closed, reopening with regular business hours on Tuesday.  Here’s to a peachy weekend and to lovely bike rides all over our beautiful city, maybe even on one of the new VeloGo bikes now located at 102 Fairmont!

 

 

#tbt to ONE year ago tonight when we opened our door and took down the paper. What a ride – through our Grand Opening, The Scary Dairy, to Christmas and Name Days, to Ice Cream for Breakfast Day,the Winter Olympics, Mother’s Day, Canada Day and the World Cup! Tell us your favourite Merry Dairy moment for a chance to win a Merry Dairy cake. Thank you to our wonderful customers, our amazing staff and the friends and family who supported us along the way! Draw will take place Monday August 6th. p.s. we are closed Monday August 6. 📷 credit to @jvlphoto for the first two photos in this slide show. Swipe to see before and after renovations. #myottawa #icecreamshop #frozencustard #renovation #igersottawa #scoopshop #hintonburg

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Hello 1990s – it’s nifty GIF time!

Some of our all-star reviews …

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… don’t appear on Google, Yelp, Facebook, Instagram, or reviews on our local media such as the Kitchissippi Times or Ottawa Citizen – they’re dropped off in the form of letters or drawings by kids.

 

 

One of those letters was from Max – who wrote us to suggest a new sundae, called the ChocoMAX, (which is available all summer at the special price of $6.75!). Another was from someone who simply drew the store and wanted to make sure we got a copy of the drawing. Another one recreated the truck in a diarama while at a Beehive art class.

 

Then there are the stories – from an employee who tells the story of how she overheard a young boy counting down the OC Transpo bus stops to his mother as they rode down Gladstone on the #14 towards the shop at 102 Fairmont. Or the kids who come by from the Urban Element summer camp, who camp in front of the store to munch on their cones and Merry Pops.

 

We love the reviews we get from Google and everyone else — especially love the five star ones! And when we get a four star review, or even the occasional three star review, we figure out what could we have done better and what might have motivated that review. They are shared with our amazing team and they often provide insight that enable us to build on an opportunity to improve.

 

But it is when we hear from kids that gives us true joy – those moments when they are in our store or lined up at our truck and they are happy, really really happy, that it makes all of us at The Merry Dairy happy too.

 

And so, when one of our younger customers takes the time to tell us or show us why they love coming to The Merry Dairy, it makes all the difference. It’s way beyond a five-star rating. It’s all-star. 

And for the kid who wondered when we’re doing Name Days again, they’re back for one week, starting Monday July 23rd, when we also feature a comeback Christmas in July flavour – Peppermint Crackle! Monday’s names are Noel and Sky!

Marlene

 

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Hot days are made for ice cream. 🍦

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Heat wave continues. Splash pad, ice cream, pool, repeat. 💦 🍦 🏊 ☀️

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Saturday night bliss with grandkids @TheMerryDairy

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Ice cream bros

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🍦🍦🍦

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Scooping season is about to get real! This morning during scoop training, staff created their own menu items. Check out our story to meet new and old and to see what they created! And because this weather is so mixed up, they have added some flavour combinations in pints to the menu this weekend. Today we have Maddy & Gabby’s Mix. It’s a tropical combination of coconut ice cream and lemon scooped into the same pint container. And $1.00 of today and tomorrow’s mixed pint sales will go directly into the staff tip jar to show our love! #scoopingishardwork Tomorrow will be a different mix! Stay tuned. #smallbatchicecream #frozencustard #icecreamtime #myottawa #hintonburg #scoops #madebyhand

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Canada Day at The Merry Dairy (great for kids, pets and hoomans of all kinds …)

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To roam, or not to roam: that is the Ottawa question: Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to remain at home and suffer the slings and arrows of Parliament Hill FOMO, Or to lock arms toward a sea of humanity, And by venturing forth, join them?

 

No matter how this question is answered for those in the city on Canada Day, for the roaming or the home-ing, it’s Canada Day at The Merry Dairy with the Canada Sundae, a confederation of Merry Pop flavours, a charter Lemon Italian-(Canadian) Ice, a provincial raspberry cheesecake and hoochie-poochie puppy pops, and our distinct soft serve from the truck from three o’clock on.

 

With water dishes for the pups, and a misting fan for the kids and hoomans alike, enjoy The Merry Dairy Canada Day playlist stuffed with tunes of all kinds from Canadians of all kinds. (And more suggestions for tunes welcome in the comments below!)

 

And while you’re at it, drop a ballot into the bowl to win this official Adidas World Cup Soccer Ball, courtesy of DiSalvo Sports and their new soccer superstore at 1625 Bank Street. … Go (insert your favourite remaining country here … )!

It’s Canada Day at The Merry Dairy

The Sunday Canada Day Canada Sundae

 

 

One of the confederation of Merry Pop Flavours!

 

 

A Charter of Lemon Italian (Canadian!) Ice 🙂

 

lemon 🍋 ☀ #dairyfree #lemon #heatwave

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Raspberry Cheesecake to join these provinces of flavours!

 

Batman vs Superman …

 

Batman vs Superman ll. Puppy Pops Battle #benaffleck #henrycavill #ottawa

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Soft serve distinctly served …

 

 

We all need goals …

 

And available all summer … The ChocoMAX!

 

And yes, thanks to the misting fan, it will be misty ….

 

Dad? Pops?

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On Father’s Day, let’s celebrate the dads and fathers and pops of all kinds with a free mini Merry Pop for dads.  Let’s also celebrate all those people who were like a dad, or reminded us of our dad. Choose from strawberry sunrise, mango lime & chocolate!

So, if you’re a Pop or Pop-like, come on in on Sunday, June 17 and enjoy a mini Merry Pop on a merry day.

And we’d love a suggestion for The Merry Dairy Father’s Day Playlist, which will play all day Sunday in the store. Please leave your suggestion in the comments below or by tagging @TheMerryDairy on social media. First song is …  Born To Run. This post will be updated as suggestions are received.

The Merry Dairy 2018 DIY (Do-it-Yourself) Father’s Day Playlist (add yours in the comments below!)

Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run
Stevie Wonder – Isn’t She Lovely
The Shires – Daddy’s Little Girl
He Didn’t Have to Be – Brad Paisley
Go to Sleep, Little Leech – The Arrogant Worms
California Blue – Roy Orbison
Daughter – Loudon Wainwright III
You Shook Me All Night Long – AC/DC
Always on my Mind – Pet Shop Boys
Cecilia and the Satellite – Andrew McMahon
Daddy Lessons – Beyoncé
Anthem – Cock Sparrer
The Logical Song – Supertramp
Cat’s in the Cradle – Harry Chapin
Father and Daughter – Paul Simon
In the Ghetto – Elvis Presley
What a Wonderful World- Louis Armstrong
Yellow Ledbetter – Pearl Jam
Tears in Heaven – Eric Clapton
One Tin Soldier – The Original Caste

Drake’s Dad – The Aktuells

Mamas’ Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys – Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson

God Only Knows – Beach Boys

My Heart Belongs to Daddy – Ella Fitzgerald

Daddy Lessons – Beyoncé (feat. Dixie Chicks)

Daddy – Johnny Cash

Song for my Father – Sarah McLaughlin

Good Good Father – Chris Tomlin

Farmer’s Song – Murray McLaughlin

Country Roads – John Denver

Ring of Fire – Johnny Cash

Thank God I’m a Country Boy – John Denver

Trumpet Voluntary – Maurice Andre

I’ve Written A Letter To Daddy – Bette Davis

I Walk the Line – Johnny Cash

A Day in the Life – The Beatles

Father and Son – Cat Stevens

Daddy Cool – Boney M

Courage – The Tragically Hip

Upside Down – Jack Johnson

Goodbye Stranger – Supertramp

Hotel California – The Eagles

Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) – John Lennon

My Father’s Eyes – Eric Clapton

Un’estate italiana – Eduardo Bannato

Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own – U2

A Boy Named Sue – Johnny Cash

The Soul Cages – Sting

The Best Monday …

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Not a Bangles Manic Monday* … but a glorious, sunny, 18 degree Monday so that we can finally, hopefully, say goodbye to our long 100 days of January …

 

And a glorious Monday also marks the start of Monday openings for The Merry Dairy and, looking at the forecast, open on Tuesday, April 24th to boot. By June, we’ll be open Tuesdays as well.

 

Mondays may get a bad rap, so here a few great Mondays to buck the trend …

 

 

* Manic Monday was written by the great artist Prince, and first recorded by Apollonia 6

Looking for more Monday songs? Check this list out.

 

 

Training Day

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No, not the movie starring Denzel Washington, but the time of year when our new summer hires learn all about the frozen custard and ice cream business! Coming to our first full year of operation at 102 Fairmont Avenue, this new group of university and high school students gather for two Saturday mornings to meet each other and get to know the year round team – a team that has been patiently working since February as the warmer weather slowly (and slowly) makes its way north.

 

Training Day is quickly becoming my favourite time of year as I learn about these remarkable young people and what motivates them and what that means in connecting with our own amazing customers at the store or with the truck at the events all over the city.

 

As we wait and see whether this weekend’s storm is more or less than what it’s predicted to be, our new team has decided to take on the wintry mix with their own flavour combinations in pints, shakes and sundaes. With every one of the combos below purchased this Sunday, a dollar will go into the staff tip jar!

 

So try the#mattieandgabbysmix, #mikaandsarahsmix, #sharletandtheosmix or the #yasmineandtorysmix. And say hi to the new team while you’re there!

 

Marlene

 

Easter Hours and a chance to win ….

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… one of two Stubbe dark or milk chocolate eggs, filled with scoops of each Merry Dairy flavour or a pint of your choice.

How to win?

Be subscribed to the Merry Dairy newsletter blog “The Scoop” either online or at the store by 3pm on Saturday, March 31. Draw will be at 3:30. All current and new subscribers eligible.

 

EDIT: Congratulations to Lucy B and Caroline T, two subscribers of The Scoop, who picked up their prize on Easter weekend!

Oh .. and our Easters hours:

Good Friday noon-9pm

Saturday noon-9pm

Sunday noon-8pm

Closed Easter Monday

Sunshine (and sunsets) on my shoulders ….

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John Denver seems to have it about right about sunshine and happiness. And whether we love or loathe daylight savings time, it brings us closer to long, breezy summer nights.

 

Before we get there, St. Paddy’s day shows the way to spring … and to celebrate that day in its own special way, the cast and crew of The Merry Dairy are pleased to present new flavours, starting Sunday, March 11, or Day 1 of Daylight Savings Time.

 

Pretzels and Stout … Raise a Guinness – and raise a cone of premium ice cream laced with the stout of Ireland and chocolate covered pretzels!

 

Hint o’ Mintonburg* … Fresh frozen custard, and green like a shamrock – “minty, yes, but I like it too ….” *only available beginning Wednesday, March 14

and finally …

 

Leprochaun Rainbow … a bowl (or cone!) of Lucky Charms flavoured ice cream, it’s magically _____…

 

And looking ahead even further to Easter and beyond, it’s an ice cream carrot cake … available now by special order

 

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And one thing that makes Ottawa summers so great are Ottawa sunsets — @Nancyfromottawa’s instagram feed of sunsets at Westboro beach is the next best thing to being there. And a great reminder of long, summer nights to come …

 

 

And some John Denver ….

 

 

Happy Daylight Savings Day 🙂

Breakfast at The Merry Dairy Saturday February 3 @ 8am

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Started by a mom in Rochester, NY at the mid-point of winter, National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day is, according to Wikipedia now celebrated in countries all over the world including Canada, Nepal, Namibia, Germany, New Zealand, Honduras, China and Israel.

 

Whether it’s six more weeks of winter or not, The Merry Dairy reopens on February 3! Come on down between 8 and 2pm for a waffle topped with a scoop of one of our breakfast inspired flavours listed below.

 

And if you wear your PJs enjoy a free hot chocolate or coffee!

 

oatmeal & brown sugar | lemon poppy seed | banana chocolate chunk |maple with candied bacon | chocolate | strawberries and cream | Grape Nuts (neither grapes, nor nuts but crunchy, crunchy, crunchy!) | cinnamon toast

ALL OVER

Fresh Waffles! 

 and …

mimosa ice pops (fresh squeezed OJ with champagne … for the adults)

Fahoo fores ♫ dahoo dores ♬ Welcome Christmas bring your cheer ♪

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It’s a special time of year for a special type of cheer …

 

The Merry Dairy is decked out for the holidays. On Sunday, December 10th from noon-4pm please join us for some holiday cheer with our special friends from Top Shelf Preserves, makers of handmade preserves – the perfect stocking stuffer!

 

Enjoy a glass of homemade mulled wine, egg nog, cider and hot chocolate and check out The Merry Dairy holiday flavours!

 

Or order a  Merry Dairy ice cream Yule Log Cake or Buche de Noel 🎄 made with vanilla frozen custard layered between homemade chocolate wafer cookies on the inside with an outside layer of peppermint candy cane ice cream followed by whipped cream with cocoa.

 

And check The Merry Dairy on social media to see if you or your friends share the the #NameOfTheDay and a free cone!