The Scoop on Scruffy’s Ice Cream Parlor

The Scoop on Scruffy’s Ice Cream Parlor

By Carina Elgin

When Hilleary Bogley was a child, she wanted to be a veterinarian, open an animal shelter for abused animals, and own an ice cream parlor.

While not a vet, the founder of the Middleburg Humane Foundation has saved many suffering animals. And, Scruffy’s, her ice cream parlor in Middleburg, is having its best year in 32 years of business in spite of, or perhaps because of the pandemic.

Named after a small terrier mix Bogley rescued decades ago, Scruffy’s opened on Christmas Parade Day, 1988. Ever since, the little shop on the main street of Middleburg has been serving Hershey’s ice cream, offering 24 flavors as well as a full espresso menu. It will stay open through the holidays, then close for the winter, giving everyone a few remaining months to try the usual best sellers, as well as fall favorites Pumpkin and Praline Pecan.

Bogley is quick to praise Lisa Carter, her employee of over 20 years, for much of the parlor’s success. She also credits the Town of Middleburg’s pandemic restaurant voucher program with getting the shop scooping the first week of April this year. She also created outside walk-up windows to serve customers safely, with signs emphasizing the wearing of masks.

To Bogley’s surprise, business doubled during the pandemic. “I think it’s due to people having less to do,” she said. “Ice cream is a happy food and, right now, no one cares if they are a little fat.”

While locals traded in town vouchers for cones, Bogley said more visitors are coming to Middleburg this year for day trips. Many ice cream fans are driving out from nearby suburbs and Washington, D.C.

“We’re seeing a lot of family groups and older couples who just want to have a little outing,” she said.

Scruffy’s often bulging donation jar has always been associated with Middleburg Humane, which Bogley founded in 1994. When the organization moved into its new Marshall facility last year, Bogley also moved on.

She’s still active and highly respected in animal rescue, with 28 years as a volunteer Circuit Court appointed Humane Investigator for Fauquier County, and with Culpeper County for 14 years, intervening in suspected animal abuse cases. Bogley’s animal work is now supported through the Culpeper Humane Society.

Scruffy’s donation jar, which has raised over $2,000 so far this year, now supports various rescues such as the Culpeper Humane Society, The Equine Rescue League, and many more.

Bogley also purchases supplies for monthly visits to the families on the Chained Dog Assistance Program, which she instituted to educate owners and improve conditions for tethered dogs. Donations have also gone to a spay/neuter clinic and to “Havahart” traps for Trap-Neuter-Release feral cat efforts.

Facebook followers of Scruffy’s have read about medical cases helped by ice cream donations. There was Pepper, the little Beagle who needed surgery to save her life, and emergency dental surgery for a Guinea pig. There’s no doubt many local animals are safe from abuse and neglect because of Bogley’s dedication.

Bogley said her fiancé, David Braun, fully supports her animal work, adding that, “he’s my rock.” Together, they’ve also found a new passion. In 2017, they started Olde Millstones Vintage Thrift Shop, selling “vintage treasures” in the same building as Scruffy’s.

“I re-homed animals for 33 years,” she said. “And now I’m also re-homing second hand treasures.”