@ Loves Local: Oinks Dutch Treat

We aren’t hogging all the fun! ??

@ Loves Local is headed to New Buffalo! On Wednesday, August 10th from 3 pm – 5 pm, get a free scoop of ice cream from Oink’s Dutch Treat, located at 227 W Buffalo St, New Buffalo, MI 49117.

Oink’s Dutch Treat is a popular summer staple known not only for its delicious ice cream but for their floor to ceiling decorations of pig and ice cream memorabilia. The family-owned ice cream shop is celebrated by tourists and locals alike. We talked to the Owner, Michael Schimanski, for a look into their story.

@properties Christie’s International Real Estate: What is the back story to opening Oinks Dutch Treat?

Oinks Dutch Treat: Our founder, Roger Vink, once envisioned owning an ice cream shop.  Before his dream became a reality, he worked as a physical education teacher at New Buffalo High School for 23 years.

During his summer break from teaching in the early 1980s, he and his wife, Sharon, would go canoeing in Baldwin, Michigan, and visit Jone’s Ice Cream Shop. He got inspired after seeing the liveliness of people, even on a hot summer night, as they savor their favorite cold dessert.

Roger finally opened his ice cream parlor in 1987. To dub his shop, he used his nickname, Oink, given to him by a long-time friend 30 years prior. Roger was absolutely right when he thought it would be a catchy name for his business. With an average of 25 employees, the shop has been open for more than 36 years and is still growing in popularity.

Mike Schimanski purchased the store from Roger in 2020. Mike is now commonly referred to as the “Keeper of the Pigs” by several of the long-term customers. Mike has embraced this role. He has added more pig merchandise to the gifts shop. Mike has also added espresso, lattes, cold brew, and nitro coffee to the menu. He has continued the Halloween tradition started by Roger of giving out free ice cream cones to all the kids who stop by for Trick or Treating. This is his favorite day to be at Oink’s.

@properties Christie’s International Real Estate: What is your favorite treat? 

 Oinks Dutch Treat: My favorite treat is a Nitro Coffee Ice Cream Float made with our brewed in-house Dark Roast Nitro coffee and Mackinaw Island Fudge Ice Cream.

The Details:

Visit Oink’s Dutch Treat located at 227 W Buffalo St, New Buffalo, MI 49117 on Wednesday, August 10th from 3-5pm EST for a free scoop of ice cream on the @ tab* (paid for by @properties Christie’s International Real Estate and ProperRate.)

Be sure to follow @atproperties and @oinksdutchtreat on Instagram and use our hashtag #AtLovesLocal when you visit.

*Limit one scoop of ice cream of your choice per person.