With summer break and the Oklahoma heat churning and burning, what could be better than enjoying a tasty frozen treat? Pairing that treat with friends and exploring the Bristow Route 66 Toy Museum, of course! Thankfully, Bristow’s own—now locally famous—illustration “Howdy” recently opened his first business venture inside the museum, and Howdy’s Ice Cream Stop promises to be the place locals and weary travelers cherish.
Museum owners Bret and Lanette Fadely recognized the community’s need for ice cream in a high-stress world since the great ice cream drought began with the closing of Tastee Toppers years ago. Now, Bristowans may once again enjoy the goodness of frozen treats, blending Howdy’s decadent ice cream offerings with the love of generational toys spanning decades. Enchanted visitors oft find themselves easily reminiscing of simpler times and indulging in playful memories as they enter the irresistibly delectable establishment.
As for Howdy’s ice cream, a variety of Ashby’s and Tillamook flavors are currently available: butter pecan, chocolate, vanilla, Campfire Peanut Butter Cup, Salty Jack, Coffee Almond Fudge, Michigan Pot Hole, Blue Moon, strawberry, Banana Pudding, Amaretto Cherry, Tennessee Toffee, Oreo, Superman, and sugar free butter pecan. All flavors may be served in a cone or cup, including site-made, fresh waffle cones, which will be available in the near future.
In addition to serving ice cream alone, patrons may also choose to have any flavor made into soft serve, sundaes, banana splits, ice cream nachos, ice cream sandwiches, dipped and crunch cones, and mini banana splits. Sundaes and banana splits can be made with a variety of toppings: hard shell chocolate sauce, pineapple, hot fudge, marshmallow cream, strawberry, butterscotch, and caramel. Ice cream nachos are served with a scoop of ice cream, waffle cone “chips”, and customer’s choice of sundae sauce for dipping. The ice cream sandwiches are made using brownie waffles or customer’s choice of freshly baked cookies, which also come in a variety of flavors.
What’s an ice cream parlor without freshly squeezed lemonades and limeades, floats, shakes, and malts? Disappointing! Fortunately, Howdy’s Ice Cream Stop will offer all of those items and more as new equipment and supplies continue to arrive.
Like the toys of the museum, reviving and helping to create new memories across generations young and younger, Howdy is a tribute to the past, who brings smiles to the present. Fadely noted that Howdy has been around for about 40 years and was inspired by Tulsa meteorologist Don Woods’ illustration “Gusty”. Fadely draws and shares Howdy with locals and world travelers in hopes of bringing smiles to their faces. Should anyone be unfamiliar with his inspiration Gusty or wish to meet him, Fadely can assist with a few Gusty images he keeps at the museum, too, which is really his purpose in opening the toy museum and Howdy’s Ice Cream Stop: to bring a little respite, relief, smiles, and enjoyment from both past and present into the lives of those he meets. He especially noted and wished to thank his wife Lanette, without whom he says the museum and ice cream ventures—and resultant smiles and joy—would not be possible.
Fadely shared his thoughts, saying “We want this to be a fun stop on Route 66, and ice cream always brings smiles. The museum is a trip down memory lane for many, and I have seen folks get really emotional while they are here. I enjoy meeting people from all over the world and love their reactions as they visit. Locally, we have so much support from this little town, and we are so thankful for everything. It’s a good feeling to bring smiles to so many.”
The toy museum provides a much-needed getaway for all, distancing us from stress, work, and the demands of being constantly available in a society and culture that demand instant accessibility. In such a demanding world, what could be better than escaping for a few moments and spending some time with generational toys, delightful memories, and delicious ice cream with new and old friends alike? Fadely’s Bristow Toy Museum and Howdy’s Ice Cream Stop provide such a retreat, so be sure to treat yourself and invite friends.
Howdy’s is located inside the museum at 118 North Main Street and is open during museum hours from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays through Sundays; although, Fadely noted that hours will expand later into the evening soon.