Old-fashioned ice cream parlor opens in downtown Medina

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 September 2014 at 12:00 am

Meggie Moo’s offers a slower pace, step back in time

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – A new business celebrated its grand-opening today in downtown Medina. Meggie Moo’s may be new, but it feels like an old-fashioned ice cream parlor from the 1950s.

The servers wear poodle skirts, Elvis is on the wall and ’50s music fills the site at 114 East Center St.

“This is a chance to go back in time and slow down,” said Kathy Blackburn, who opened the business with her family.

Blackburn is pictured in the top photo at left with her daughter-in-law Kelly, granddaughter Megan and Blackburn’s son Jim in back.

Blackburn operated the 31 Club from the location until closing that bar about 2 ½ years ago. She wanted to use the historic building, and her granddaughter suggested it as a soda shop.

Megan Blackburn, 15, makes a strawberry milkshake during the grand opening of Meggie Moo’s today. Her brother Zack, 18, also will be working at Meggie’s.

Jim and Kelly Blackburn both welcomed the endeavor as long as it had a family friendly focus. The site will be available for birthday parties. Meggie’s will host its first one on Saturday with a theme from the popular children’s movie, Frozen.

Jim was pleased to see a father and son come in for dessert, enjoying conservation while the boy worked on homework.

“This is about being able to enjoy yourself,” Blackburn said. “Everything is so fast. People need to slow down.”

The front counter was decorated for the grand opening today.

Kathy Blackburn is the executive director of the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce. She also is vice president of the Medina Business Association. She has been encouraged by the renaissance in downtown Medina, with many new shops and businesses opening.

The new ice cream parlor complements the other businesses, and should draw more visitors and foot traffic to the downtown, Blackburn said.

She is retired from Birdseye Foods, where she was international sales manager. Her son works as buildings and grounds superintendent for the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension in Knowlesville. His wife is a 4-H leader for the Paw Praisers Club.

“This all about the kids,” Kelly Blackburn said.

Photo by Tom Rivers

The outside and inside of the building were painted. The interior floor was also raised. Blackburn said the family would like to add fryers and a grill for an expanded menu, as well as opening a back porch.

“We want to make it a fun place for people to come,” she said.