Maples Ice Cream Opens in Leighty's

Maples Ice Cream and Treats officially opened on June 1 of this year inside Leighty’s store in Newry.

Greg Huber said the business got started with the idea of his daughter Briella Huber opening an ice cream and baked goods shop when she graduated high school.

“However, when Leighty’s called me about the idea of putting an ice cream shop in the store, we just kind of ran with the idea,” he said. “We decided to start with the ice cream first because of the season.

He has worked for Leighy’s about 30 years and was the the general manager for them for about 10 years.

“They have really become a second family for me and we stayed close over the years,” Greg said.

Leighty’s has been an integral part of their business start-up, he said.

“They have been very happy with what we have done so far and are excited about the upcoming expansion we are planning,” Greg said.

Maples is right inside of the front of the market near the entrance, and they also have a service window on the right side of the building.

Currently there are four team members who are in high school who run the cafe. Greg said they are looking to add more people to be there in the morning and afternoons when they are in school.

They offer Perry’s Ice Cream, milkshakes, home made brownies and cookies, brownie sundaes, cookie sandwiches, belgian waffles and more.

Briella goes to Tyrone Area High School and is starting 11th grade this year. Being able to take an entrepreneur class and a finance class while in school has helped her to prepare to open her business.

Greg said she has had a passion for baking and for the last two years has experimented with many cookie recipes to find her base.

Briella said she has been enjoying opening her own business so far, being able to bake and share her creations with others.

“It’s really nice so far,” she said. “I enjoy being able to create something out of nothing.”

One of her favorite parts of baking is seeing other people’s reactions.

“Putting smiles on people’s faces is all worth it,” she said.

Briella is constantly thinking of new ideas for what they can make for the cafe. “Some of those ideas worked, and some not so much,” Greg Huber said. “Some items we find are too time consuming for the amount that is sold.”

Briella said the reaction is positive so far with customers.

“Everyone leaves happy,” she said.