Locally beloved Harrigan's Soft Serve celebrated a significant milestone earlier this month: 65 years in a row. A neighborhood staple for decades, the ice cream stand is not only a symbol of summer indulgence, but also a testament to enduring entrepreneurial spirit. For the past four years, Harrigan's Soft Serve owners Andrea Ray and Chris Wylie are proud to continue the legacy of this cherished institution. “We're happy to be back in the North Country. We're keeping everything that the Harrigan family ran,” Ray asserted. Harrigan's roots date back to 1959, when Barbara and Frances Harrigan founded the business as Tasty.・Freeze stand. Ten years later, the couple ventured into independent business and rebranded the store as Harrigan's Soft Serve. Its name has not changed since then. “We appreciate that people come out just for the history and nostalgia of this place,” said Chris Wylie, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the fleeting northern summer. “We've only been open for five months.'' Despite the change in ownership, Harrigan's continues to thrive, drawing customers from far and wide each spring and summer season. For Wayne Sorrell, a loyal patron for the past 60 years, Harrigan's is more than just an ice cream stand, it's a treasured tradition and a second family. ”, that's really important. Like everything else, it feels good to get things back to change,” Soler said. As part of its 65th anniversary, the store also received a Superintendent's Award from the City of Plattsburgh. Town Supervisor Michael Cashman praised Harrigan's as a model of lasting success in the North Country business environment. “It's just eloquent that these small businesses, you know, have been able to maintain such a strong position year after year,” he said. Cashman Looking to the future, both Wiley and Ray are grateful for their role in preserving this local gem for future generations. “As a small business owner, it's great to be a part of Plattsburgh's local restaurant industry,” Wiley said. “And to have a store that has remained relatively unchanged for 65 years, I think that's the greatest thing ever.” To commemorate the milestone, Harrigan's is inviting patrons to post photos of their ice cream. We invite you to share your experiences at Cream Stand. Wiley and Ray plan to compile these images into a collage and display it outside the store to celebrate their shared memories and enduring legacy of Harrigan's Soft His Cream.
Locally beloved Harrigan's Soft Serve celebrated a significant milestone earlier this month: 65 years in a row.
A neighborhood staple for decades, the ice cream stand is not only a symbol of summer indulgence, but also a testament to enduring entrepreneurial spirit.
Andrea Ray and Chris Wylie, owners of Harrigan's Soft Serve for the past four years, are proud to carry on the tradition of this cherished establishment.
“We're happy to be back in the North Country. We've kept everything in the same condition as when it was run by the Harrigan family,” Ray asserted.
Harrigan's roots date back to 1959 when Barbara and Frances Harrigan founded the business as Tasty Freeze Stand. Ten years later, the couple ventured into independent business and rebranded the store as Harrigan's Soft Serve, a name that has remained the same ever since.
“We're grateful that people come here because of the history and nostalgia of this place,” Chris Wylie said, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the fleeting northern summer. “We've only been open for five months.”
Despite the change in ownership, Harrigan's continues to thrive, drawing customers from far and wide each spring and summer season.
For Wayne Sorrell, a loyal patron for the past 60 years, Harrigan's is more than just an ice cream stand, it's a treasured tradition and a second family.
“After all these years, it kind of becomes like a family. So that's really important. Like anything else, it feels good to get things back to the way they were.” said Soler.
As part of its 65th anniversary, the store also received a Supervisor's Award from the City of Plattsburgh. Town Supervisor Michael Cashman praised Harrigan's as a model of lasting success in the North Country business environment.
“It just speaks volumes that these small businesses have been able to maintain such a strong position year after year,” Cashman said.
Looking to the future, Wiley and Ray are grateful for their role in preserving this local gem for future generations.
“As a small business owner, it's great to be a part of Plattsburgh's local restaurant industry,” Wiley said. “And I think the fact that it’s been here for 65 years, almost unchanged, couldn’t be more amazing.”
To commemorate this milestone, Harrigan's is inviting patrons to share their experiences at the ice cream stand by posting photos. Wiley and Ray plan to compile these images into a collage and display it outside the store to celebrate their shared memories and enduring legacy of Harrigan's Soft Her Cream.