KEYSTONE HEIGHTS — Whether it’s in a waffle cone, sugar cone or a cup, you can bet that every scoop of creamery at Pangborn Ice Cream has meaning.

It’s where mouthwatering flavors coincide with giving back. And where every customer takes a piece of the city’s history back home with them.

“We’re a business that gives back to the community,” said co-owner Keith Hatch.

Keith, along with his wife Patricia Hatch, their daughter Samm and son-in-law Erik Fehley, opened the doors of the business back in May on South Lawrence Boulevard. A place offering various cold treats, the name originates from the shop's location inside the Pangborn residence, a 99-year staple in Keystone. The Pangborn family was one of many families to help develop what would become the city back in 1925.

Patricia Hatch, left, and Samm Fehley are co-owners of Pangborn Ice Cream in Keystone Heights.

STAFF PHOTOS BY KYLA WOODARD

“The Pangborns were more or less the muscle. They had a lumber mill down the street on the other side of 100 and Lawrence Boulevard,” Keith said.

Mr. Pangborn was also the basketball coach for Keystone Heights High in 1924. The Hatches purchased the home back in 2020. They said that the shop reintroduces and honors the Pangborn name. And just like the influential family invested so much into the community, they hope to continue the tradition.

Their business model: The Pangborn Community Scoop program. Each month, 5% of every sale is donated to a deserving local organization. And a special table is decorated with information about who they are and their cause.

For their first month of business, the shop raised money for the Keystone Heights High Marching Band, which required new uniforms.

“We’ll be just a drop in the bucket, but at least we’ll be helping them,” he said.

The Hatches said they got the idea to transform the home into a philanthropic parlor after a trip to South Carolina. An ice cream business there had a similar mission. Combine that with the lack of specialty-made ice cream near the small city, and it became Patricia’s dream.

Each customer has a plethora of tasty options to choose from–courtesy of their award-winning distributor, The Ice Cream Club – when they walk through the door, depending on their palate. The shop also offers milkshakes, sundaes and banana splits and floats. From the typical flavors of strawberry, vanilla or chocolate to the more intricate combinations of blueberry cheesecake, raspberry truffle, stellar coffee, rum raisin and toasted coconut, the shop offers more than 30 different tangs.

Pangborn Ice Cream is at 350 S Lawrence Blvd..

STAFF PHOTOS BY KYLA WOODARD

Keith said one of the most popular is the garbage can, which combines several candy bars, including Butterfingers, Snickers, Baby Ruths, Rolos and Heaths.

“That tub of ice cream just disappeared.”

For customers not on the go, Keith said their in-house dining room offers relaxation and a special look into Keystone’s rich history. On the wall is a collection of old community photos. Keith said the shop encourages customers to bring any past pictures of Keystone.

“We want to load this wall up here with pictures of old Keystone, even if it has people in it. So that people might come in here with their grandchildren or their children and be sitting there going ‘I know that person in that picture,’” he said.

For customers to feel a sense of belonging, a sense of togetherness, is what the Hatches and Fehleys said they hope for.

“People that walk in here and start eating ice cream, smiles are on their faces. They’re meeting new friends, they’re talking to old friends, they’re just having a good time and relaxing. And that’s what we wanted here.”