There is a small, wooded corner of Pennsylvania where the summer air smells faintly of vanilla and the line out front tells you everything you need to know before you even read the menu. A soda fountain that has been scooping, swirling, and delighting visitors since 1895 still opens its doors every May and closes them every September, just as it always has.
The name alone, The Jigger Shop, is enough to make you curious, and the story behind it is even better than you might expect. Tucked into the storybook village of Mt.
Gretna in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, this seasonal landmark has outlasted trends, survived ownership changes, and kept its original charm completely intact. Sundaes here are not just desserts; they are theatrical, towering, and unforgettable.
Keep reading to find out what makes this century-old ice cream parlor one of the most beloved spots in the entire state.
A Sweet Address Worth Seeking Out
Some destinations are worth going out of your way for, and The Jigger Shop at 202 Gettysburg Ave, Mt. Gretna, PA 17064 is absolutely one of them.
Tucked into Lebanon County in the South Mountains of Pennsylvania, this seasonal soda fountain has been part of the local landscape since 1895.
The shop sits beneath a canopy of trees that can reach 60 to 80 feet tall, giving the entire property a naturally shaded, almost enchanting quality. You park, step out of your car, and suddenly feel like you have arrived somewhere genuinely different from the rest of the world.
The phone number is 717-964-9686, and the website is jiggershop.com if you want to plan ahead. During the week, doors open at 4 PM Tuesday through Friday, while weekends welcome visitors from noon to 9 PM.
That Saturday and Sunday window is prime time for families, so arriving early is always a smart move.
How a “Thingamajig” Became a Legend
The name “Jigger” did not come from a marketing meeting or a clever branding exercise. Two vacationing girls once asked for “something different,” and the resulting creation was playfully called a “thingamajig” by the staff.
That nickname got shortened over time to “jigger,” and the rest is genuinely delicious history.
The shop started its life in 1895 as Myer’s Pavilion, a sweet shop opened by Charlie Myers. Ice cream and fountain sodas did not join the menu until the 1920s, which is when the parlor’s identity truly began to take shape.
Over its long life, the business has passed through six or seven sets of hands, with the Allwein family holding the reins for more than 50 years between 1963 and 2017. The Seyfert family, led by Kyle Seyfert, took ownership in 2018 and has committed fully to preserving every tradition that makes this place so irreplaceable.
That dedication shows in every single sundae served.
The Legendary Jigger Sundae Explained
Two and a half scoops of rich French vanilla ice cream form the foundation of the shop’s most famous creation. From there, you choose between chocolate or butterscotch sauce, then comes a cloud of whipped marshmallow and the finishing touch: the “secret jigger nuts.” Nobody outside the shop seems to know exactly what those nuts are, and that mystery is part of the fun.
The sundae is generous by any standard, and first-time visitors often end up sharing with a friend simply because the portion is so satisfying. Presentation is taken seriously here, and each sundae arrives looking like it was assembled with genuine care rather than rushed out during a busy rush.
Prices range from roughly $11 to $20 depending on the creation you choose, which some visitors find steep. But the combination of quality ingredients, theatrical presentation, and historic atmosphere makes the experience feel worthwhile for most people who make the trip to Mt.
Gretna.
Outrageous Sundaes That Steal the Show
Beyond the classic Jigger Sundae, the menu ventures into territory that can only be described as theatrical. The Baked Alaska arrives dramatically, with flames that make the whole table pay attention.
The Campfire S’more Sundae channels cozy outdoor vibes with layers that feel like a summer night by the fire.
Pennsylvania Dutch culture gets a well-deserved spotlight through the Shoofly Pie Sundae, which pairs French vanilla ice cream with a slice of homemade shoo-fly pie, molasses, whipped cream, and crumbles. The Whoopie Pie Sundae features chocolate eclair ice cream nestled between two halves of a classic PA Dutch chocolate whoopie pie.
The Death by Chocolate sundae is mentioned so frequently by regulars that it has practically become its own institution. Peanut Butter Cup and Pineapple Upside-Down sundaes round out a lineup that genuinely rewards repeat visits, since trying everything on the menu in one summer is a noble but ambitious goal.
Old-Fashioned Drinks That Deserve More Credit
The sundaes get most of the attention, but the drinks at this historic soda fountain hold their own beautifully. Real root beer floats arrive in proper glasses, a detail that feels increasingly rare in a world of disposable cups and drive-through windows.
Birch beer is also on the menu, giving the experience a distinctly Pennsylvania flavor.
Old-fashioned milkshakes come out in frosty steel containers, the kind that feel satisfyingly cold the moment you wrap your hand around them. Ice cream sodas bubble and fizz the way they were always meant to, and smoothies offer a lighter alternative for those who want something fruit-forward.
Refillable frosty mugs of root beer have earned their own loyal following among repeat visitors, and for good reason. There is something about a cold, fizzy drink served the right way that makes the whole experience feel complete.
The drink menu here is a quiet reminder that sometimes the classics do not need to be reinvented.
The Kitchen Fare That Fuels the Adventure
A full stomach before a sundae is a reasonable strategy, and the kitchen here gives you solid options to work with. Burgers are made with ground round beef rather than standard pre-formed patties, which makes a noticeable difference in both flavor and texture.
The Lebanon County Banquet, a grilled sweet bologna sandwich on a pretzel bun, leans into local culture with confidence.
The Carolina vinegar-basted pulled pork sandwich has developed a following among visitors who come specifically for the savory side of the menu. Chicken tender baskets arrive with generous portions of fries, and crab cake sandwiches add a coastal note to an otherwise landlocked setting.
Salads and wraps keep the lighter options covered, and the onion rings are worth considering as a side. Prices lean toward the higher end for casual fare, but portions are consistently described as filling.
The food line and the ice cream line are separate, so splitting up your group to order simultaneously is a genuinely useful tip.
An Atmosphere That Cannot Be Manufactured
The outdoor seating area at this shop is genuinely unlike anything you find at a modern ice cream chain. Mature trees, some reaching six or seven stories high, create a natural canopy that keeps the tables shaded even on the warmest July afternoons.
Sitting out there with a sundae feels less like a food stop and more like a pause inside a painting.
Inside, warm yellowish lighting and classic faux-Tiffany lamps cast a glow over round tables draped in cheerful checkered tablecloths. The overall effect is one of comfortable, unhurried nostalgia that does not feel forced or theme-park-ish.
It is simply what happens when a place has been doing things the same way for more than a century.
Rocking chairs are available for those who want to sit, breathe, and watch the world pass by after finishing their treat. Table turnover is handled efficiently by attentive staff who keep surfaces clean even during peak hours, which makes finding a spot easier than you might expect on a busy weekend.
The Seasonal Rhythm That Makes Every Visit Feel Special
The Jigger Shop does not operate year-round, and that intentional limitation is a big part of what makes it matter so much to the people who love it. Doors open around Memorial Day weekend in May and close after the final weekend of September, creating a seasonal window that feels like a genuine event rather than just a business schedule.
For many families, the first visit of the season is a tradition that marks the arrival of summer as reliably as fireflies or school letting out. The closing weekend in September carries its own bittersweet quality, with regulars making one last pilgrimage before the long wait begins again.
This rhythm also keeps the experience from becoming routine. Because you can only go for about five months out of the year, each visit carries a little extra weight.
Tuesday through Friday hours begin at 4 PM, while Saturday and Sunday open at noon, giving weekend visitors the longest window to enjoy everything the shop has to offer.
Mt. Gretna: The Village That Sets the Stage
The town surrounding this ice cream institution is a destination in its own right. Mt.
Gretna was conceived in the late 1800s as a peaceful picnic grove and evolved into a popular summer resort community. Victorian-style cottages line winding paths, and the whole place carries an unhurried, slightly timeless quality that feels genuinely rare.
The town’s Chautauqua heritage adds a layer of cultural depth, with an ongoing emphasis on the arts, music, and community gatherings. The Gretna Theatre sits just across the street from the shop, making a pre-show or post-show sundae run a very easy decision for anyone attending a performance.
Mount Gretna Lake and Beach offers swimming and relaxation just a short walk away, while the Gretna Emporium and a whimsical Fairy Garden add quirky stops for curious explorers. The Governor Dick Environmental Center and Tower provides hiking trails and panoramic views of four surrounding counties.
This village does not just host the Jigger Shop; it completes it.
The Ice Cream Spur Trail and Getting There
Few ice cream shops in America can claim their own named trail, but The Jigger Shop has exactly that. The Rails to Trails system in the area includes a segment called the Ice Cream Spur Trail, a pathway that leads directly to the shop and turns the journey into part of the experience.
Arriving on foot or by bike after a scenic ride through wooded Pennsylvania countryside makes the first scoop taste even better.
For those arriving by car, parking in Mt. Gretna can be a puzzle worth solving in advance.
Heading straight to one of the public parking lots rather than searching for street spots saves time and frustration, especially on busy summer weekends when the whole village fills up quickly.
One important planning note: during the annual Mt. Gretna Outdoor Art Show, special entry tickets may be required to access the area during show hours.
After 5 PM on the Sunday of the Art Show, access restrictions typically lift, offering a well-timed opportunity for a sweet reward after a day of browsing art.
A Philosophy Built Around Putting Down the Phone
One of the most quietly radical decisions the current ownership has made is the choice not to offer Wi-Fi. In an era when restaurants routinely advertise their network passwords alongside their specials, The Jigger Shop has deliberately kept its space free of that particular distraction.
The message is clear: put down the screen and talk to the people sitting across from you.
Owner Kyle Seyfert has spoken about the importance of preserving the shop’s founding traditions, and this extends beyond the recipes. The atmosphere is designed to encourage genuine connection, the kind that happens when a family shares a towering sundae and nobody is scrolling through anything.
It is a small policy with a surprisingly large effect on the feel of the place. Conversations at the tables tend to be louder and more animated than you might expect at a modern eatery.
The shop functions as a kind of social anchor for the Mt. Gretna community, a role it has played in one form or another for well over a century.
Why People Keep Coming Back Year After Year
A 4.5-star rating across more than 2,000 reviews is not something a business earns by accident. The Jigger Shop keeps drawing people back because it delivers something that is genuinely hard to find: a consistent, memorable experience rooted in place, tradition, and care.
Staff members are frequently praised for their enthusiasm and the obvious pride they take in assembling each creation.
The sundae presentations alone generate a kind of table-wide excitement that is contagious. Watching a Baked Alaska or a Death by Chocolate arrive is a moment that inspires people to pull out their cameras, which is somewhat ironic given the shop’s no-Wi-Fi philosophy.
Prices are on the higher end, and some visitors note that the food side of the menu is straightforward rather than ambitious. But the overall package, historic setting, theatrical desserts, friendly service, and the unique character of Mt.
Gretna itself, adds up to something that keeps families returning season after season. Some traditions are worth every penny, and this one has been proving that since 1895.
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