THE GREAT AMERICAN Creamery

Many couples celebrate Valentine’s Day by visiting a food establishment. Husband and wife Balasios (Saki) Lahaniatis and Lucine Sihelnik marked Valentine’s Day 2022 by opening one. The couple was spurred into action after learning how to make ice cream during a course at Penn State’s Department of Agriculture. The Great American Creamery serves products from the Penn State Berkey Creamery and other establishments in the area. Its first year of business was such a success, the owners opened a second location across the street in Santander Arena. And that wasn’t the only thing they had to celebrate: In February, former Reading City Council member Sihelnik was named to temporarily fill the vacant Berks County Commissioner position. Perhaps she marked the occasion with some ice cream?

645 Penn St., Reading greatamericancreamery.com greatamericancreamery

Jenn & Jessie's ICE CREAM PARLOR

In 2005, Jeffrey and Kathy Updegrove decided to do something with the open space in front of their landscaping-supply business, now known as JKU Trucking & Landscaping Supplies. The choice to complement their business was unorthodox, but Berks Countians have complemented the owners on the decision ever since. “I think what is different about us is you can pick up mulch or stone and get a burger and a cone at the same time,” Kathy Updegrove says. Named after the couple’s daughters, Jenn & Jessie’s offers numerous varieties of Leiby’s soft-serve and hand-dipped ice cream, along with sundaes, ice cream cakes and assorted novelties. Hot food includes hot dogs, barbecue, burgers, nachos, soups, salads and homemade waffles, which can be topped with ice cream.

798 Memorial Hwy., Oley | jennjessies