BUSINESS MATTERS

Lake Martin Creamery

Lake Martin Creamery at the intersection of state Route 49 and county Road 34, was meant to be, according to owners Ellen and Dennis Godfrey. They were both in the corporate world until Ellen Godfrey retired from United Health

Care. Then, when COVID-19 hit two years ago, Dennis was offered early retirement from

Verizon Wireless. They had lots of thoughts about what to do next.

“One idea kept on floating back,” Godfrey said. “We need ice cream at the lake.”

It was prompted by kids and grandkids visiting the couple at The Village. One day, they all were at a fast food establishment in Auburn that featured hamburgers.

“But they kept making milk shakes and more milk shakes. So, we thought, ice cream is not a stupid idea. We felt if this is what the Lord wanted us to do, He would open doors,” she said.

The first plan called for an ice cream truck. There were none in Alabama, so they contacted a franchiser and found a truck for sale. COVID hit, and they heard no more about the truck.

“Next, we drove all around the lake to see where an ice cream shop might fit. Peeped in the windows of old Jim’s Pharmacy. Good building and location until we called the realtor. It was already taken. The very next day the phone rang. Building was now available. We took it on the spot,” explained Godfrey.

Next, they hoped to move to the area fulltime but only if they could sell their Birmingham home.

“It hit multiple listing and within three hours – sold.”

They began remodeling their future shop – painting and building tables with help from a brother-in-law.

“Before we even opened, word got out, and people were coming by. This venture was so new, we didn’t know what we didn’t know. We prayed, Lord send us somebody to answer our questions. Within 30 minutes, a lady from the health department showed up with many answers. Next day, a man from a supply company appeared and answered more questions.”

“Ellen had a very distinct vision. No plan B. We were going to make plan A work,” Dennis said.

The couple’s biggest hurdle was sourcing supplies and equipment. The crucial item, an ice cream machine, did not arrive until the night before opening in March 2021. Godfrey pulled the first ice cream through the machine at 9 p.m. that night.

“I had never made ice cream before – making that swirl as it comes out of the machine. First weekend, we were slammed with people and ran out of ice cream by Sunday,” she said.

There was another memorable day when they had lots of chocolate ice cream but very little vanilla left.

“Just about everybody who came in ordered chocolate,” she said.

They opened featuring just two items: ice cream and flavored shaved ice, inspired by Godfrey’s child, who is lactose intolerant. Both ice and syrup come from Hawaii.

The ice cream is actually a custard inspired by Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, a well-known shop in Missouri, where Dennis grew up. It contains no additives.

“It’s good,” they quipped, “because you can pronounce everything in it.”

They began with basic ice cream mix and added vanilla, but now try different flavors, which they ask customers to test. They are experimenting with maple bacon sundae flavor. The menu has expanded to include hot dogs and soup as well.

“Soup was an idea of our health department lady who told us that with our license, we could sell food,” Godfrey said.

They tried many soup samples. Now, soup choices change from day to day. All of them have been so popular that, on some cold mornings over the winter and early spring, there was a line waiting for the shop to open.

Like the custards and soups, the Godfreys tested many hot dogs and finally selected the No. 1 choice in Consumer Reports.

“I am a hound for research,” Godfrey admitted. “The only stupid question is one you don’t ask.”

In February, they closed for a few weeks to catch their breath, make some changes to work more efficiently and completed a deep clean. That assured their consistent health department rating of 100. Then, they redecorated, adding sentimental family pictures to their wall.

From custard to soup to chili dogs, their biggest surprise has been how the community has embraced them.

“We are successful because we have the world’s best customers,” Godfrey explained.

Steady Business

Clockwise from Bottom Left Facing Page: The Godfreys make their own waffle cones for ice cream treats; Ellen Godfrey enjoys the steady stream of customers that visit all year long; chili dogs are a recent addition to the menu.