Local Flavor: Martel's Ice Cream celebrates 40 years

Martel’s Ice Cream and Mini Golf, 757 Portland Road, Saco, has been in business for 40 years, and is celebrating this milestone the weekend of June13-14.

Patty Martel said she and her parents opened the ice cream shop in 1986. Back then it was she and her dad making ice cream. Now she and her oldest son make the ice cream together. Her younger son lives in California and works for Google, but helps manage the website. She said her parents run the two mini-golf courses.

On June 13-14, in honor of their 40^th anniversary, admission for miniature golf at Martel’s will be reduced to $6. There will also be special giveaways and prizes all weekend, plus new merchandise.

“There will be a prize wheel for kids and adults. We all love prizes,” said Martel.

Martel’s menu has 40 flavors of homemade ice cream, plus a few rotating flavors. The ice cream shop also has non-dairy and sugar free options.

The best-selling flavor is vanilla, said Martel, as people often use vanilla as a base for sundaes. Some of their popular flavors include coffee Oreo, chocolate peanut butter, as well as specialty flavors purple cookie and ladybug, she said.

The ice cream is made with 14 percent butterfat and fresh ingredients for a creamy texture and premium flavor.

For example their strawberry ice cream contains real strawberries, and the seasonal blueberry ice cream contains real blueberries. The strawberry shortcake has strawberries that have been sliced and prepared in house.

“I am a stickler for consistency,” said Martel. “We try to put out a good product.”

She said many of their employees stay for four to six summers.

“It makes a difference,” she said. “We have really great employees that offer good customer service.”

Martel’s is open from April to October. The mini golf courses can also be booked for private events.

Liz Gotthelf is the publisher of Saco Bay News. She also loves to eat – and support local businesses. If you have any local restaurant or food news, she’d love to hear from you. Send her an email at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.