By: Cameron Shaw
With its beautiful farmland, sunset views and extensive flavor options, Maple View Farm Ice Cream has been a beloved spot for a sweet treat since 2001. Originating in the early 1800s in Maine and moving to North Carolina in 1963, Maple View has since grown into an award-winning ice cream and dairy shop with a consistent line out the door of locals and tourists alike waiting to get a taste of its over 20 flavors and unique flavor combinations.
Inspired by its northern roots and southern charm, Maple View Farm sources its fruit and dairy in North Carolina and still uses maple syrup from Maine to make its handmade batches of delicious ice cream flavors.
“It started with your basic ice cream flavors and a few seasonal ones, but then we realized that people like traditional but also like variety from time to time,” said Allison Nichols-Clapper, the current manager and partner of Maple View Farm Ice Cream. She started working for the farm while she was a student at UNC-Chapel Hill and has been there for almost 23 years.
“The change in seasons is a big inspiration for our flavors,” she said. Customer suggestions are also a source of new flavor ideas. When asked to pick her own favorite flavor, Nichols-Clapper had a difficult time deciding.
“I have a lot that I like to indulge with,” she says.
In describing the menu at Maple View, Nichols-Clapper compared the products to a kind of “ice cream art”, delighting customers with unique combinations like Carolina Crunch or fan favorites like its award-winning Big Bob’s Banana Split. Other popular flavors include honey-toasted almond, cherry vanilla, caramel cashew and turtle.
“It’s kind of more than just ice cream,” said Nichols-Clapper. “The ambiance overlooking fields really makes it a special place for people to come.” Customers return to experience excellent customer service, play games on the lawn, have picnic lunches and enjoy the rocking chairs on Maple View’s porch and watch the sunset.
Since Maple View has been in the Chapel Hill area for almost 23 years, employees have been able to watch customers grow and make memories.
“We are now seeing our first customers come back with grandchildren,” says Nichols-Clapper. “It’s overwhelming to see how much our customers support us in the community.”
If you are looking for some delicious homemade ice cream, visit Maple View Farm Ice Cream at 6900 Rocky Ridge Road in Hillsborough. Keep up with them online on Facebook, Instagram or X
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