SOUTH BELOIT, Ill. (WREX) — Summer is wrapping up, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy a sweet frozen treat. For more than 50 years, South Beloit locals and Stateline residents have been grapping ice cream cones at M&M Dari Ripple.
“We love it,” says co-owner Alicia Peterson, “and we have so many people that come day after day to come and get their favorite thing to eat.”
Alicia and her husband David bought the family owned-and-operated ice cream stand from David’s father Mike, who owned it for 28 years. But the history of the stand goes back even further.
“Back in 1952 is was started by the Martstons, and they’ve sold three times since then,” says Alicia, “so next year will be out 70th anniversary.”
“We kind of came into the picture more in the last three years,” says co-owner David Peterson, “our first year we worked hourly just to learn the business. We took over two years ago and it has been a blast.”
The couple is taking the iconic staple in the South Beloit community into a new era.
“I love people coming in and telling me, ‘oh I came here 30 years ago and 30 years ago it looked exactly the same,'” says Alicia.
“Everything hasn’t changed, so people remember that and want to come out and enjoy and have memories.”
You can get everything from a simple vanilla cone to candy-coated creations, hot dogs and chips, or even an extra large chocolate shake. David says they plan on keeping the menu classic, but adding some fun and unique items like their fall specials.
“We’re gonna be here another decade, maybe we’ll pass it down to our kids down the road, and we’re here to serve you,” says David.
M&M Dari Ripple is open for the season through the month, seven days a week, 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. It is located at 470 Blackhawk Boulevard.