New shop a sweet stop for treats, tour of Dade City

Henry C's, modeled after an old-fashioned general store, sells treats and trolley tickets.

By Helen Anne Travis, Times Staff Writer
Published March 11, 2008

Jessica Shadions, 32, scoops a mint chocolate chip and cookie dough waffle cone for her co-worker Diane Ballantyne, 19, at Henry C's, a new store on Meridian Avenue in Dade City.
	[Keri Wiginton | Times]

DADE CITY - In the morning, tourists eat dripping cones before a tour of the city. Afternoons bring kids hungry for a cold snack after class. And in the evenings, families come by for a sweet dessert.

That's the clientele at Henry C's, an ice cream and candy shop that opened Feb. 28 just west of downtown.

The store is the latest project of the group behind the Dade City Business Center, Citrus Country Groves and the Dade City Trolley Tour.

Modeled after an old-fashioned general store, Henry C's sells glass bottles of Stewart's Grape Soda and saltwater taffy by the pound.

Many older visitors get a kick out of the candy cigarettes and wax teeth for sale.

"It's what they remember from when they were young," manager Bruce Tipton said.

The store serves as the ticket window and pickup point for the Dade City Trolley Tour.

But Tipton said the store isn't only for paying trolley riders. It stays open until 8 p.m. - a rarity in downtown Dade City - so locals can grab banana splits after work or dinner.

Henry C's grand opening celebration takes place Thursday through Sunday. The store will offer buy-one-get-one-free ice cream cones.

"I know I am going to go through a ton of ice cream. Face it, who doesn't like ice cream?" Tipton said. "Even the skinny people."

Helen Anne Travis can be reached at htravis@sptimes.com or 352 521-6518.

[Last modified March 10, 2008, 21:58:16]