Selma’s cherry on top

Talk about it

Selma’s Ice Cream Parlour has gotten the go ahead to serve its first scoop.

Afton City Council approved new owner Becky Nickerson’s request for an amended conditional-use permit during its March 20 meeting.

Becky and Paul Nickerson, of Houlton Wis., closed on Selma’s Ice Cream Parlour in December of last year after the ice cream shop sat vacant since 2009. The shop is recognized as Minnesota’s oldest ice cream parlor.

The 3,000 square-foot property had been on the market since the winter of 2011

Selma's went into foreclosure after former owner Chet Kurtz filed for bankruptcy. It was bought by CorTrust Bank at a sheriff's sale for $746,612.

Since the restaurant already has a conditional-use permit on file from 2007, Nickerson’s application was for an amended permit, which would allow her to perform maintenance and renovations.

Nickerson said she is hoping to replace some external siding and flood proofing.

Additionally, Nickerson is hoping to install new signage to the building.

Currently, Nickerson is working with Afton’s Design Review Committee to establish guidelines for her renovations.

Open this spring

Nickerson said she is hoping for an opening date as early as April 20 this spring.

The Nickersons have previously said they are hoping to keep Selma’s the way it always has been – a small-town, old-time ice cream parlor.

The family has maintained Selma’s same ice cream vendor – Brown’s Ice Cream out of Minneapolis.

However, Nickerson said they will also be working with Schoeps Ice Cream out of Wisconsin as well.

Once Selma’s Ice Cream Parlour is open, Nickerson said she would like to explore potentially having outdoor food sales during Afton’s community festivals. Nickerson said she is also considering applying for a liquor license for those events.

“It’ll be great to see it open again,” Council Member Randy Nelson said.

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