Tarentum has a new sweet spot.
Clark Candies Ice Cream Café is scheduled to have a soft open on Friday, scooping up ice cream through the takeout window at the 89-year-old chocolate shop along First Avenue.
Twelve decadent flavors will join specialties like hot fudge nachos and Paletas — Mexican Popsicles — for the limited menu.
“We think there is a pent-up demand in the community,” owner Brett Luedde said. “We used to run an ice cream stand here 30 years ago when the Little League was a fixture in the park across the street (at Dreshar Stadium). A lot has changed, but we hear from people all the time about how much they want it back.”
The opening has created five jobs for local teens, three from Highlands and two from Freeport.
Luedde took over the iconic candy store from his father-in-law, Robert Clark, whose family started the business in 1937. It was a fresh start for Luedde, who spent the past two decades in technology sales.
His agenda was simple: to refresh the warehouse and reintroduce the business through an improved social media presence.
At the top of his priority list was bringing back an old-fashioned ice cream stand to the borough.
A small area near the store’s front is accented with flower boxes and picnic tables to accommodate customers who want to sit and enjoy their frozen treat.
Luedde is eager for the planned redevelopment of the Tarentum riverfront, which he believes will be a draw for visitors.
“With the bike trails going in either direction, we’re an ideal jumping off point or a place for riders coming from the city to turn around,” he said.
Luedde has spent the past several months creating a menu, which includes waffle ice cream sandwiches and a six-flavor ice cream flight — served in an egg carton.
Company-made candies like peanut butter meltaways and caramels will be used as toppings.
The Paletas, rebranded as Clark’s cool pops, are made with all-natural ingredients and sweetened with fruit and agave. A Popsicle machine churns out 120 an hour in homemade flavors including watermelon-mint and coconut-lime.
Friday’s hours will be 1 to 9 p.m. A permanent schedule has yet to be determined but will be announced on Facebook.
A more elaborate opening is planned for Memorial Day weekend.
“We just want to add something positive to the community,” Luedde said.