OLD LYME — Hallmark Drive-In is back with a new owner, additional menu items, and an enthusiastic staff.
On Saturday June 24, the Old Lyme Economic Development Commission (EDC), along with the Old Lyme Board of Selectmen and State Representative Devin Carney (R-23rd), held a ribbon-cutting for the longtime establishment’s new owner.
Old Lyme resident Julia Ritchie took over the business at the beginning of the summer season. A graduate of the Lyme-Old Lyme School System, Ritchie has worked at Hallmark since she was old enough to seek employment and rose through the ranks to manage the business during summer breaks from UConn where she recently completed her elementary education degree and certification.
Hallmark’s former owner, who also owns AC Petersen in West Hartford, decided to sell the Old Lyme operation as she looks forward to spending time with her first grandchild. She gave the first option to buy Hallmark to Julia, knowing the passion the young manager brought to the business.
Ritchie said, “I love the family-oriented nature of the business. My family has been coming to Hallmark since I was little and I have such great memories of getting ice cream here.”
She continued, “Then while working here I fell in love with the nature of the business. I have a lot of fantastic colleagues and that’s why I wanted to purchase the business — I knew I had a team I could trust. They’re really passionate about making the business as best as they can and providing excellent customer service.”
Ritchie’s team is made up of high school and college students, who choose to come back to Hallmark every summer. A popular place for young adults to seek employment, the Hallmark work environment encourages staff to be self-starters. Ritchie commented, “If a problem arises my team will take it upon themselves to fix the issue. We all strive for excellence in customer service, that’s our priority.”
As reflected in First Selectman Tim Griswold’s remarks during the ribbon-cutting, the friendly spot along Shore Road has a long history of hospitality.
Known as the “Shady Maple” in the 1960s, the indoor restaurant with counter service was then owned by First Selectman Maurice “Bud” McCarthy and his wife Pat who was Old Lyme’s Registrar of Voters.
In 1972, the business was sold to Lee and Fran Ewers, who changed the name to Hallmark, which was the business they owned down the road.
Hallmark began selling hand-dipped chocolates in 1909 in its shop at the corner of Halls Road. The original owner of Hallmark, Nat Hall, was the first to offer ice cream alongside his chocolates. His ice cream flavors included several that are still on the menu today including ginger, pistachio, and maple walnut.
Today Ritchie and her staff are listening to customers about what additional flavors they would like, and have added Grape-Nut, Peanut Butter Fudge, Strawberry Cheesecake, and Cowabunga Crunch, which has a vanilla ice cream base and includes caramel swirl, pecans and toffee.
Wraps are another menu expansion and include a popular Buffalo Chicken and Ranch. Ritchie explained, “I listen to customer and staff feedback. I watch the Google reviews, and if customers have special requests, we try to do them.” Special dietary options include gluten-free burger buns (or choosing to have a burger on lettuce) and veggie burgers.
Other innovations are underway, including the Hallmark punch card – Customers who purchase nine ice creams will receive the 10th one free. Ritchie is also focusing some of her marketing effort on social media videos that provide a behind the scenes look at the restaurant’s operations. Customers, who hold gift cards from past seasons, will have them honored.
During the ribbon cutting, EDC Chairperson Cheryl Poirier thanked everyone for being there to celebrate Julia and her staff “who take good care of all the visitors and residents of Old Lyme, who want to enjoy our town.” Poirier continued, “It’s really important to us that people like Julia and her staff are here to make Old Lyme special, and that’s what this is all about, making Old Lyme special.”
At the same time Julia took over ownership of the Hallmark business, she also signed on to begin her career this fall at Nathan Hale Middle School in East Haddam teaching fifth grade math. Not only do the two professions go hand in hand for the calendar year but will provide experiences that benefit both.
Ritchie said, “I know my students will inspire me, they always have good ideas for ice cream.”
During the ribbon cutting, State Rep. Carney congratulated Julia and noted, “It’s great to see such a young entrepreneur buying this business. Hallmark is one of those places that really links everybody in town.”
Ritchie has already shown her focus on Hallmark’s role linking community members together. She hosted the Lyme-Old Lyme (LOL) Middle School’s PTO fundraiser, Wildcat Wednesday, held earlier this month on the last day of school, and has also supported the LOL High School’s Safe Grad effort and LOL Little League.
“Just being in the field of education, I’m committed to supporting school systems, educators, clubs, as well as the other service organizations. I’m really passionate about that and I knew I could do that through the business,” she said.
During the ribbon-cutting, Ritchie showed her gratitude to the several dozen people in attendance and said, “I want to thank everyone for coming today, it means the world to me. I’m ready for this new chapter of Hallmark.”
She later added, “I love the town of Old Lyme and I want to continue to contribute to it.”
Editor’s Note: Visit the Hallmark Drive-In website for more information.
