Sometimes, life takes unexpected twists and swirls.
For instance, Rita Weiss and Peter Neavling were college sweethearts who hadn’t seen each other in years. Later in life, they reconnected through Facebook.
“We dated in college, then went our separate ways, married other people, had children and got divorced around the same time,” Weiss said.
The connection then got even sweeter. In May 2020, the couple opened an ice cream shop called Shirley Rae’s, a 1,000-square-foot space in Lower Allen Township at Arcona. They named it for Neavling’s mother.
“It has an old-timey ring to it, and no businesses in the United States shares that name,” Weiss said.
More Upscale
The shop features lighthearted, beachy décor with homemade kites that hang from the ceiling. A colorful, whimsical mural painted along the back wall stars a large octopus, a bobbing jellyfish and other denizens of the deep. Attractive beaded curtains line the windows and twinkle in the sunlight in the bright space.
The younger set, some of whom are just learning to read, enjoy surveying the chalkboard wall, which is chock-a-block with dad jokes that are swapped out on a regular basis. The shop seats 20 inside and 16 outside, employing 12 to 16 workers during the spring, summer and fall seasons.
The couple serves products from Tamaqua-based Leiby’s Dairy, which has been churning out hand-dipped, premium ice cream for 90 years. Flavors include pistachio, birthday cake, pralines and cream, peanut butter cup and Tandy cake, among others. And if you’re not content to settle for a cone or dish of the frozen dessert, Shirley Rae’s sells sundaes, floats, milkshakes and ice cream sandwiches crafted with homemade brownies.
The couple also caters to four-legged friends with doggie ice cream.
“We make it out of whole milk, yogurt and all-natural peanut butter,” explained Weiss, whose daughter is in the veterinary medicine business and consulted with the couple to serve what’s best for canine health.
It’s no secret that the ice cream business slows down during the winter months. So, the couple has diversified to sell hot chocolate and sandwiches, which aren’t your run-of-the-mill scoop shop fare.
“Because we’re so close to Thea’s and SpringGate, we decided to make them a little more upscale,” Weiss said.
The sandwich/panini menu includes selections like turkey and guacamole, ham and brie, ham and cheddar with spinach and cranberry aioli and roast beef. For vegetarians, there’s apple and brie and a four-cheese option.
Phil Broder, who lives about a half-mile from Shirley Rae’s, said that he’s glad to have an ice cream place near him and that he and his wife also enjoy the sandwiches.
“My Labrador likes the pup cups,” he added.
Mike Fee of Duncannon also makes the trip, visiting about six times during the year and sometimes bringing along his mother, who hails from Hazleton.
“I like to order a scoop of black cherry with a scoop of chocolate on top,” he said.
Making Plans
Before opening, the couple struggled with the normal issues wrought by COVID-19, as they launched during the height of the pandemic.
“Contractors couldn’t work during the shutdown,” Weiss said.
However, those complications ended up paling in comparison to her health issues.
“I needed to be listed for a heart transplant and was in the hospital for 50 days,” Weiss said. “During that time, Peter was a great caretaker.”
The fact that he was recently retired proved to be a tremendous benefit.
“It gave me the opportunity to be with her and not be fired,” Neavling said.
Weiss was offered a heart transplant but learned that she has a rare antibody that rejects 98% of all hearts. So, right now, she is dependent on a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD), which helps pump blood from the lower left heart chamber to the rest of the body. She carries with her a controller unit and battery pack that is connected to the LVAD through a small opening in the skin.
In the near future, Weiss plans to undergo what she calls a “very painful procedure” in order to receive the transplant.
She explained that the device hasn’t hampered her ability to work and that she’s glad to have reconnected with her college love, who has been by her side every step of the way.
“It’s been great working together, reconnecting and enjoying the smiles on the faces of our customers,” Weiss said. “However, what we are especially looking forward to is when the transplant is in the rearview mirror so that we can get back to living, loving and traveling like we have planned.”
Shirley Rae’s is located at Arcona at 1347 Saxton Way, Mechanicsburg. For more information, visit www.shirleyraes.com or their Facebook page.
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