PENACOOK, NH — In a charming blend of hardware, animals, and innovative frozen treats, Sweet Dreamz has opened its doors in Penacook, transforming an old hardware store into a vibrant soft-serve ice cream destination. Located on Village Street in the former Fox Hardware, the shop offers a playful menu featuring over thirty soft-serve flavors alongside sundaes, frappes, root beer floats, and cookie sandwiches.
Owner Kim Mitchell, a full-time employee at Thrive Pet Healthcare, launched Sweet Dreamz in 2022 with her husband, David. Finding traditional hardware “boring,” Mitchell converted part of the store into a whimsical ice cream spot complete with a walk-up window and colorful, joyful decor inspired by Willy Wonka’s magical world.
Though new to ice cream scooping, Mitchell perfected her craft through persistent practice, embracing vanilla soft-serve as her base and developing unique treats like “The Unicorn” and “Plywood.” Paying homage to her veterinary background, pup cups quickly became a neighborhood favorite.
Mitchell’s menu reflects her personal passions and commitment to quality. The Rupee Dupee sundae, named after her American Quarter horse Rupert, combines vanilla soft serve with Oreos, marshmallow sauce, hot fudge, and a custom horse-shaped candy. Ingredients are locally sourced whenever possible, with milk from Contoocook Creamery and root beer from Woodstock Brewery. Mitchell meticulously tests syrups and toppings to ensure every order meets her high standards.
Customers appreciate Sweet Dreamz’s distinct vanilla soft serve, described by local teenager Cameron Boomer as “different and unique” compared to other ice creams. The shop encourages creativity, letting patrons mix flavors and toppings, such as the surprising but popular combo of vanilla soft serve with Country Time Lemonade.
Open Fridays through Sundays, Sweet Dreamz also sells pints, ice cream sandwiches, and pies from a freezer inside Fox Hardware, offering soft serve’s signature creamy texture even for take-home treats.
“The smiles say it all,” Mitchell said, reflecting on the community’s warm support and the joy her shop brings, especially to children. For her, Sweet Dreamz is more than an ice cream franchise — it’s a dream come true and a way to connect deeply with Penacook.
Sweet Dreamz hours: Fridays 4 p.m.–8 p.m., Saturdays 2 p.m.–8 p.m., Sundays 2 p.m.–7 p.m.
The shop’s success highlights the growing popularity of local ice cream franchise opportunities that combine creativity, quality ingredients, and community engagement.
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