Customers can preorder on the Lt. Dan’s website and have their ice cream waiting in a walk-up cooler when they arrive.
Businesses and non-profit organizations regularly open and move in Saskatoon. Today the StarPhoenix talks to Kurt Muench who, together with some friends, opened Lt. Dan’s Ice Cream Shack in May in Brighton.
Q: Why did you open Lt. Dan’s Ice Cream Shack?
A: We decided that this was a need that wasn’t in the neighbourhood and we knew that there was an opportunity. I think we had thought that we all need a place to walk to with our kids after a ball game or on the weekend, or after a movie. Summer nights in Saskatoon are so beautiful that we just needed something in the neighbourhood.
We wanted to create a very open, welcoming spot for everyone. Something that’s a bit nostalgic with the name but also something that’s vibrant and fun for kids and adults alike. And somewhere that people can just collectively come and socialize and have a good time and hang out and enjoy what summer is meant to be and just have some fun.
Q: What’s behind the name Lt. Dan’s?
A: It’s a throwback, just some nostalgic vibes that hopefully bring a smile and a smirk to people’s faces when they hear the name. You combine that with the logo and the imagery that we’ve created for the brand — it’s meant to just be vibrant and fun.
Lt. Dan is one of the famous characters in the movie Forrest Gump, and there’s a scene in Forrest Gump that is related to ice cream. The nostalgia of the movie and that whole era really complements what we are doing. We play music that is a throwback to that era, mixed in with modern tracks.
Q: What atmosphere can customers expect?
A: We’ve got lots of vibrant colours like pinks and yellows and blues. Something that really stands out and has been a fan favourite so far is our green floral Instagram wall — a vibrant background with a cool saying and a welcoming bench. People are just taking pictures like crazy and posting them on social media. It is fantastic imagery to capture a really cool picture for you and your family. The saying — and our slogan — is, “Ice cream solves everything.”
Q: What sets Lt. Dan’s apart?
A: When you come to Lt. Dan’s you’re getting an experience that is unforgettable. You’re going to love just hanging out. We have excellent staff who have dynamic, fun personalities behind the counter. You’re going to get great value for your scoop. You’re going to walk away happy and you’re just going to have a great experience.
Q: Which ice cream flavours do you serve?
A: We have some that are very popular — one would be sea salt caramel fudge, that’s kind of our current hot one. There’s the All-Canadian Moose and Campfire Smores. We have some flavours for people who have dietary concerns as well: We have a passion fruit sorbet and a no sugar added caramel macchiato flavour. Of course the kids always like Cookie Beast – it looks like cookie monster, bright blue with cookies and cream and cookie dough in it. Other popular kids flavours are Cotton Candy and Shark Attack.
Q: Do you have other items on the menu?
A: Right now it’s just hard ice cream and cookie sandwiches. We’re just starting out with this, and then we’ll go from here.
Q: You have an easy ordering system?
A: We have a menu system that gives a step-by-step procedure that allows you to build your creation. The first step is to choose your scoop size — there’s kiddo, single, and double scoops. Step two is to choose if want it in a cup, cone, waffle or cookie. Then you pick your flavour. We have over 20 flavours. We have feature flavours that rotate, so you can always expect a new flavour whenever you come.
Q: Can people order ahead?
A: This is a huge part of our business model and something that makes us stand out — you can order on our website. We’re all busy people, so whether you’re coming after a soccer match or baseball game or heading over after school or work you can go to the website and order ahead. Everything on our menu is also available online, and we will have your ice cream ready in our standup freezer when you arrive — just walk up to the mobile pick up window.
Q: What kind of seating is available?
A: It’s all outside seating. We have patio deck with a few tables, and also some Adirondack chairs that are on the grass.
Q: Do the owners have a background in running restaurants?
A: I think we all had some basic background and restaurant experience, but nothing specific in ice cream. I think the basics of the ice cream is simple enough but then building a space that is warm, welcoming, inviting and vibrant is really where our strength lies; building a community. We want to build community where people come here to hang out and it’s part of their weekly routine.
Q: Did you build the ice cream shack yourselves?
A: We put together lots of it ourselves — installing doors and windows, building decks, hanging lights and putting up menu boards. It was a group effort.
Q: Is there anything that you love most about owning Lt. Dan’s?
A: We have loved to see how it has got so many people together and the atmosphere that it builds in this community. Brighton and its surrounding communities are amazing. There’s people chatting, hanging out, laughing and joking. That’s what we wanted to see.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
Lt. Dan’s Ice Cream Shack
The Saskatoon Star Phoenix has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox so you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe.
With some online platforms blocking access to the journalism upon which you depend, our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark thestarphoenix.com and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Click here to subscribe.