Since October 2013, Penn State Berkey Creamery ice cream has been served in two of Bethlehem’s finest restaurants, both located inside of the Historic Hotel Bethlehem. Now, the Hotel boasts its own Creamery ice cream counter in The Shoppe at the Hotel Bethlehem, and the residents of Bethlehem, Allentown, and the surrounding areas as well as students of Penn State Lehigh Valley couldn’t be more excited.

“We’ve seen from the constant requests for Creamery ice cream at our hotel just how passionate Lehigh Valley residents are for all things Penn State,” said Hotel Bethlehem Director of Sales and Marketing Kelly Ronalds.

Unlike the Creamery here on campus, the ice cream at the Hotel is available in sugar cones, waffle cones, or waffle bowls. Prices are $2 for one scoop, $4 for two scoops, and $6 for three scoops, with an additional $1 for the waffle cones. The hotel offers 12 flavors for customers to choose from, and rotates the flavors seasonally. And yes, you can even mix flavors and feel just as special as Bill Clinton (I’m as shocked as you are).

The concept of a Creamery store is pretty new, and comes with challenges. For example, the ice cream is not delivered by Penn State to the Hotel Bethlehem. General Manager Dennis Costello makes the trip to State College and picks up the ice cream himself, at a wholesale price.

“They don’t have to make that six-hour round-trip. We do it for them,” said Costello. 

Last Saturday, Hotel Bethlehem and Penn State Lehigh Valley hosted “Penn State Lehigh Valley Day” to raise funds for pediatric cancer. The hotel approached the Downtown Bethlehem Association with the idea of holding a special fundraising event to benefit pediatric cancer, and more specifically, the Penn State Hershey’s Children’s Hospital. Visits were made by the Nittany Lion and the Alumni Blue Band, along with special guest Sean Geltz, Penn State Lehigh Valley’s THON child. By offering all Penn Staters from the Lehigh Valley their favorite flavors, the Shoppe at the Historic Hotel Bethlehem makes alumni feel like they’re back in Happy Valley again.

For more information, check out Hotel Bethlehem’s website.