Residents of Plains and tourists lucky enough to make a stop in Plains will be able to enjoy a new breed of ice cream this summer. Jacqui and Tom Peterson opened Ripples Ice Cream Parlor across from Town Pump on Saturday coinciding with the annual Plains Day celebration.

The Petersons said the idea developed out of the need to find a place for their other small business. Jacqui operates a small embroidery business that needed a base of operation.

When the landlord of the building that now houses both the embroidery business and the ice cream parlor suggested they use the kitchen for something, the Petersons decided Plains could use a gourmet dessert establishment.

“People have responded really well so far. We were really busy on Saturday. For about five hours it was non-stop in here,” said Tom.

The Petersons have adopted a business model that will allow them to remain flexible and to respond to changing consumer demands. The business will feature a rotating menu that will not lock the Petersons into offering a product that will see a reduction in demand during different seasons.

“We know that few people are going to want ice cream in the middle of winter,” said Peterson. “It’s a seasonal thing so we will adapt to that and offer different products during different times of the year.”

The Petersons said they were not intimidated by a slumping economy in Sanders County. The Petersons believe the business model they have adopted will provide a unique experience for customers and that the continuous flow of traffic through the area will sustain them even during slow seasons.

“This is not going to just be an ice cream parlor. We have the embroidery business. We are going to have a gift shop,” said Peterson. “We will offer different types of food depending on what time of year it is. We have to buffer ourselves against the slow times.”

Ripples Ice Cream Parlor features ice cream made in Livingston, MT. Ripples will specialize in a blended form of the tasty dessert combined with a variety of other ingredients.

Customers can order traditional milkshakes, fruit smoothies or just a simple ice cream cone. Tom Peterson said they encourage customers to get creative when it comes to the different combinations they can choose from.

“What I get a kick out of with the business so far is I’ll be standing here mixing something, someone will place an order and I’m thinking geez that sounds good,” said Peterson. “Yeah, that’s gonna be delicious.”