Summer bucket list: Visit this nostalgic ice cream parlor in Strafford

Tucked into one of the oldest parts of Strafford, Mo. — along the historic Route 66 corridor— sits an old-fashioned ice cream parlor, complete with red checkered tablecloths, a rich wooden countertop, and a smiling grandfather behind the bar.

Papaw’s Kookies & Kream Ice Cream Parlor is a vestige of another time, and my 5-year-old son was positively glowing after our visit. He declared it “the best ice cream shop in the world,” mostly due to the giant decorative ice cream cone above the bar and the sprinkle-covered cone in his hand.

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Chrome barstools line the counter, where desserts can be served in decorative glass cups (if requested). The shop serves old-fashioned treats like A&W root beer floats and malt shakes, along with more typical scooped ice cream.

Inside Papaw’s Kookies & Kream Ice Cream Parlor

"Papaw" Denis George stands behind his old-fashioned ice cream parlor counter in Strafford, Mo. — *“Papaw” Denis George stands behind his old-fashioned ice cream parlor counter in Strafford, Mo. (Photo by Brittany Meiling)*

Founded by real-life “papaw” Denis George with his wife Clydie in 2018, Denis said the shop was a post-retirement dream. After a long career in advertising and marketing, Denis said he wanted to stay busy. His daughter, who owns the adjacent coffee shop and cafe The Coffee Commons, had planned to use the adjoining room as an event center or a rentable space. But then she had a different inspiration.

“She said, ‘Why don’t you turn it into an ice cream shop?’” Denis said.

He’d always dreamed of opening an ice cream shop or other business when he was younger, he said, but other things took priority.

The interior of Papaw's is loaded with antiques. — *The interior of Papaw’s is loaded with antiques. (Photo by Brittany Meiling)*

Affordability is important to Papaw’s

Now, the ice cream shop is a destination for local families, Route 66 travelers, and even visitors who enjoy the nostalgia of the shop.

Denis said he strives to keep the ice cream parlor affordable, taking very little out of the business themselves.

“Andy’s [Frozen Custard] is wonderful, but if you take a whole family there, it can really add up,” he said. “We want this to be a place a family of 3 or 4 can come to without spending too much.”

(Editor’s note: This interview was conducted before the recent public discussion surrounding Andy’s Frozen Custard’s tax abatement request. Denis’ comments about affordability were made in response to a question about his business philosophy and were not related to that issue.)

*A photo of Denis and Clydie George is pinned to a pillar in the front of the shop, right above a guestbook with handwritten reviews and notes inside. (Photo by Brittany Meiling)*

Worth the trip from Springfield?

If you’re interested in visiting Papaw’s but are unsure about the drive to Strafford, this is a great outing to pair with a visit to Fellows Lake. Papaw’s is a 15-minute drive southeast of the Fellows Lake Marina, where you can rent a pedal boat, canoe or kayak, or just play at the new Hatch playground.