By the way, it’s pronounced Cahoon’s.

At least that’s what owner Gene Calhoun said. Calhoun added that the name is Scottish in origin, so he goes by the American version – Calhoun.

Gene Calhoun said most of the flavors, on the extensive list, were born by way of customer suggestions.

He started his ice cream venture about four years ago at 5543 Route 62, Conewango Valley. He said he was approached by an Amish man who asked if he could store his ice cream in the freezer inside Calhoun’s barn. When Calhoun, now a retired machinist, would get home from work, he would see Amish children coming out of the barn with half-gallons of the stored ice cream.

From left Gene and Tammy Calhoun stand outside of their Colquhoun’s location at 5543 Route 62, Conewango Valley.

“I thought, you know, this isn’t a bad spot, so I did an experiment. We had a yard sale there to see what kind of traffic flow we would have, and we did all right in four hours,” Calhoun said.

So Calhoun bought a soft serve ice cream machine, but had no idea of how to make it, and in talking with a health inspector, the inspector advised Calhoun a hard ice cream machine would be best. So, yes, Calhoun purchased a hard ice cream machine, but he still didn’t have an idea of how to make the ice cream, so it sat idle on his living room floor, with the other ice cream machine until he had a visit from his son.

“He said, ‘Dad, let’s fire these up. Let’s see what they can do.’ And so we uncrated them and opened them up and started making ice cream,” Calhoun said.

And so the crafting of unique frozen treats began.

He built up a customer base by listening to what their favorite flavors were when they were kids.

“They would come in and say ‘Hey, I had this. This company used to make this. Can you make this? I had this when I was a kid,'” Calhoun said.

Tammy Calhoun, Gene’s wife, even had a suggestion made by her insurance agent.

“He asked if we could make a Maraschino cherry (flavor). So we made, and then he wanted a Maraschino cherry shake,” Gene Calhoun said.

FOr most flavors, he usually starts with a vanilla base, and then adds other flavors including candies, nuts, and fruits. Because of customer requests, maple bacon ice cream is on the list. A big-selling flavor is Scottish coffee toffee.

“That is our top-seller,” Gene said.

He explained that he and Tammy were up at around 2 a.m., and he was working on a concoction trying to get Scottish coffee toffee perfected. He tried a spoon of it and immediately knew it was too bitter and strong. So he mixed a batch with English toffee cappuccino, coffee and a vanilla ice cream base, and waited for the machine to stop churning, so he could freeze it.

The whole process takes about four to five hours.

MOVE TO LAKEWOOD

After tasting some of his flavors, Pea Pod & Juniper owner Kim Carlson was very helpful spreading the word on her Facebook page. With Carlson’s support, Gene Calhoun said orders started coming in.

Gene Calhoun also said Carlson was helpful with securing the location at 48 Chautauqua Ave.

“I was incredibly excited to see Colquhoun’s come to Chautauqua Avenue. Their subs are always delicious and their homemade ice cream is second to none,” said Lakewood Village Trustee Ben Troche.

Gene Calhoun added that with the Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market, that Thursdays are very busy on Chautauqua Avenue.

The market is every Thursday from 12 to 4 p.m. on Chautauqua Avenue between Alta Way and Trade Co. Alley. It began on June 19 and ends on Sept. 4.

“Lakewood is thrilled to have a sub and ice cream shop on Chautauqua Avenue,” Lakewood Mayor Randy Holcomb said.

ORDERS

To get a custom ice cream order, Gene said to call (716) 338-3617 in advance because it will take about two days for the order to be processed and ready. He said to see the list of flavors in house, then visit the shop’s Facebook page, and for a list of subs also visit the shop’s Facebook page.

Colquhoun’s is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 11 to 8 in the summer. The shop is closed Sundays.

“If you go away hungry from there, then that’s on you,” said Lakewood resident David Card.

If Gene can make a suggested flavor, he will.