Charlie’s Ice Cream
Doug Hanson of Newton had been a truck driver for more than two decades when he decided he was ready for a change. Enrolling in an “ice cream boot camp” program in February, Doug and his son, Lucas, traveled to Brooksville, Florida, to learn how to make their own ice cream. Charlie’s Ice Cream (150 Front St., Exeter, 772-7400, find them on Facebook and Instagram), named after the Hansons’ 3-year-old pug, opened in the former Sign of the Times storefront in the spring. Every one of the 50 or so flavors of ice cream, including a small selection of dairy-free options, is made in house. Doug and Lucas, who also run the shop with Lucas’s sister, Megan, offer their own takes on classics like vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and coffee. But you’ll also find unique creations, from root beer or watermelon ice cream to lemon raspberry swirl, peanut butter and jelly, and “Wicked Chocolate,” which features a dark chocolate base with chocolate Oreos, dark chocolate chips, Nestle Crunch bars and a chocolate swirl. There are also several “21+” flavors that are alcohol-infused, like strawberry margarita, Kahlua fudge, and banana cream rum. If you can’t decide which flavor you want, Charlie’s Ice Cream offers “flights” of up to four flavors you can choose from. Cotton candy is made in house too and can be added to ice cream cones and in sundaes. The Scene recently caught up with Hanson to talk about his new business venture and some of the must-try flavors when you visit Charlie’s Ice Cream.
How long has Charlie’s Ice Cream been around?
[We opened] May 1.
What makes Charlie’s Ice Cream unique?
Our ice cream is different. It’s super creamy and nothing like you’re ever going to taste. It has more of a gelato-type feel to it, but it’s loaded with flavor. … Everything is homemade, and I experiment with all kinds of stuff.
What is your favorite ice cream flavor that you make?
Coconut. Every time I eat it, it brings back memories of being a kid here in New Hampshire. I don’t even know why, but every single time I eat the coconut ice cream, it produces that same feeling. It’s funny, because we taste every single flavor when we make them just to make sure that it comes out all right, and I never go back to any of them except for the coconut.
What is an ice cream flavor that everyone should try?
It’s probably the peanut butter Oreo, which is an unbelievable one that everybody loves. … I’ve probably made 50 gallons of it since we’ve been open.
What celebrity would you like to see eating at Charlie’s Ice Cream?
Hulk Hogan. If I ever have a chance to meet anybody in my entire life, I want to meet him.
What is an essential skill to running an ice cream shop?
You have to be able to wear multiple hats.
What is your favorite thing about being on the Seacoast?
I love that you can go to the beach and be there in 10 minutes, [or] you can go to the mountains and be there in an hour. … I can’t even imagine not being able to drive to the beach from where I live and seeing the ocean.
— Matt Ingersoll
Photo Credit: Charlie’s Ice Cream
