An enticing combination of ice cream, coffee and candy aromas greets customers when they walk through the door at Zippy’s Ice Cream Café.

    “Hopefully this takes you back to a place where you can remember when things weren’t so hectic,” said owner Bob Zipp. “People are looking to have a good time when they come into an ice cream parlor. They’re looking to relax and they leave with a smile on their face.”

    An old-fashioned, 16-foot mahogany bar provides bar stool seating for a choice of sundae, cone, milkshake or jerked ice-cream soda — just like they used to make it, Zipp said.

    Premium ice cream flavors are made on premises and include the standard favorites of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. Special flavors offered are cherry vanilla, mint chocolate chip cookie dough and cake batter, with chunks of cake mixed in. There’s also Italian ice.

    Zipp can special order any kind of ice cream for people interested in hosting a special event, or even if they just want it for themselves. Prices for special orders vary.

    And if you’re not into ice cream, a selection of pastries, coffee and tea are available. Cappuccinos, espressos and regular coffees are joined by a selection of loose teas that can be bought by the cup or the pot. Those familiar with Lewes may have heard of The Bake Shoppe, where Zipp said he gets his selection of 24 different types of roasted coffee. Prices start at $11.99 for a one-pound bag of whole roasted beans.

    Last but not least, is a selection of chocolates from Pennsylvania chocolate maker Gertrude Hawk Co. and a host of throwback candy including 1-pound jawbreakers, Glee gum, bubble gum yardsticks and Pop Rocks.

    “We decided to do something fun and it doesn’t get much more fun than ice cream and candy,” said Zipp, who recently decided to delve into the area of business ownership after years of working in the restaurant trade.

    Zippy’s Ice Cream Café is located at 1025 S. DuPont Highway in the building that previously housed A+++ Learning. It officially opened Aug. 25 and its hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It is closed Sundays.

Email Melissa K. Steele at melissa.steele@doverpost.com.