Courtesy of Ugly Ice Cream
By Jill Nagy
Those who enjoy those lazy-hazy-crazy days of summer often indulge in a cooling dip in the water followed by a delectable frozen treat.
That’s exactly what visitors to Brown’s Beach on Saratoga Lake can enjoy. Following a swim they can order their choice of ice cream … even if it’s ugly.
Ugly Ice Cream, a new concession stand that will operate through the summer, is the brainchild of entrepreneurs Ariel Pagan and brothers Joe and John Starr.
The name comes from Pagan’s two other businesses, the Ugly Rooster Cafes, one located in Malta and the other in Mechanicville. Pagan, a culinary school graduate and experienced pastry chef, opened the first Ugly Rooster in 2009 and expanded later with the second location.
The Starr brothers are semi-retired home builders. They founded StarrBuilt Custom Homes in 2005 and now focus on speciality projects through StarrBuilt Residential Installation as well as real estate.
The impetus for starting the business came when Pagan saw that there wasn’t an ice cream shop or snack bar located on the lake. He contacted the Starr brothers and they came on board.
To date, there are only three basic flavors of ice cream — chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. There is also dairy-free ice cream in rotating flavors such as pineapple, orange and mango. Pagan is in the process of creating new flavors and toppings.
The concept for the “ugly” part of the culinary experience at Brown’s Beach comes from the name of Pagan’s two other business locations. For example, diners can order the tater tots as “ugly,” which means that Pagan’s homemade meat sauce, onions, and cheese sauce “gets slapped on top,” according to a spokesperson.
The pavilion in which the business operates already existed and is owned by the Town of Stillwater. However, the entrepreneurs did build all the branded signage around the pavilion.
“Local artists and designers were tremendously helpful in creating the signage. Joe’s brother is a designer and helped plan the signage and structural aspects of things,” said the spokesperson. “Camelot Print and Copy in Latham was also a very helpful partner in the process.”
There is also Saratoga Lake merchandise, which was designed and hand illustrated by a local artist. Stickers, sweat shirts, tee-shirts, and tank tops touting the lake are currently available for sale.
“We wanted people to be able to buy Ugly Ice Cream merch but wanted to rep the lake as well,” said the spokesperson.
To officially launch the business the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce officiated at a ribbon cutting.
Although located at the entrance to Brown’s Beach, Ugly Ice Cream can be accessed without paying admission to the beach. It is open from 11.a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, whether the beach is open or not.
The address is 511 Route 9P in Saratoga Springs.