Dottie’s Soda Shop in downtown North Webster celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday, June 2. Shown from left are Scott Wiley, Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce member relations manager; Glenn Hall, Shawn Brown and Kyrie Maierle, chamber ambassadors; Cameron Senter, Dottie’s Ice Cream employee; Zane Grady, 8, mascot; Angie Grady, chamber ambassador and co-owner; Curtis Grady, co-owner; Mikilah Wiggs, employee; David Schmidt, FocalPoint business coach; and Rob Parker, chamber president and CEO. Photo by Ray Balogh.

By Ray Balogh
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — Co-owners Curtis and Angie Grady and several members of the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce cut the ribbon on one of the coolest places in North Webster Thursday, June 2.

The group celebrated the grand opening of Dottie’s Soda Shop, a venue dishing up sweet treats and nostalgia, located at 114 N. Main St.

The 1950s-style soda fountain and ice cream counter provides a relaxing atmosphere perfect for settling down with a scoop or cone of ice cream, an old-fashioned carbonated soda or a malt, shake, float or sundae.

Along one wall are jars of penny candy, candy bars and snack novelties, including iconic brands The Original Cracker Jack (yes, with a prize inside), Big League Chew, Cow Tales, Red Hots and Push Pops.

“Dottie was my grandmother,” said Angie. “She loved candies and old-fashioned sodas and ice cream. This little shop is kind of in memory of her.”

Dottie’s Soda Shop is the Gradys’ second business in downtown North Webster. Just north on Main Street they operate Kiza Designs, which sells apparel, wood flowers, gifts and decor items.

The counter dispenses 16 flavors of layered and classic soda, including buttered beer (a cream soda/butterscotch blend), a flavor made popular by the Harry Potter series.

Some of the more intriguing flavors on the 19-item ice cream menu are key lime pie, hippie of love (brownies, cookie dough, caramel, pecans and fudge ripple), coffee-flavored Iced Latte-Da, Door County cherry, pomegranate swirl (no sugar added) and Fat Elvis (banana, peanut butter and chocolate chip).

Sample the novelty flavors while you can and return to try to something new. “We are constantly changing out the menu with new flavors,” said Angie.

The back room will house tables and chairs and a crane machine and pinball machine when they arrive. “We are experiencing a delay in shipping,” she said.

“We’re going for a fun, laid back atmosphere for people coming in off the lake to cool off,” said Curtis.

Future plans include selling hot dogs and nachos.

“It’s just a great place to hang out and get some great treats that take people back into time,” said Rob Parker, president and CEO of the chamber. “They (the Gradys) do such an awesome job taking care of their customers. I encourage everybody to stop and have a good time.”

The shop can be rented out for parties up to 25 people.

Dottie’s Soda Shop is open 4-8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday.

For more information, call (574) 518-2888 or visit Dottie’s Soda Shop’s Facebook page.