The District Chronicles

Issue date: 1/18/09 Section: Business

Tucked away on 10th and 11th Street NW is the blue and yellow shop of Gifford's Ice Cream and Candy Company. The aroma of freshly baked waffle cones and cinnamon cake greets customers as they enter the store.

A picnic-sized table sits in the center of the brightly colored blue and yellow sports bags and diamond shape boxes of vanilla and chocolate caramels.

Delicious chocolate truffles line the candy display shelves, but today all the kids are screaming for the peanut butter cookies and cream ice cream on a tasty M&M cone.

When the temperature dips below 50, most people look for sweet alternatives to their favorite ice creams, but store manager Robert Thomas has different ideas. Big ideas that capitalize on the Jan. 20 historic inauguration of the first African American president of the United States.

Thomas has thought of unconventional ways to bring business in the down season during the weeklong celebrations of Barack Obama's inauguration. Obama will be sworn in just a few minutes away from Gifford's on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Like other businesses downtown DC, Thomas is preparing for the big day and is anticipating big crowds and big business.

"We have created three tasty hot chocolates that will attract many visitors that week," he said. "Our Swiss hot chocolate is the most popular. It has a light milk chocolate taste made from our homemade recipe and is unlike any other hot chocolate in the city."

Gifford's special inauguration menu includes the Swiss hot chocolate, dark fudge hot chocolate made from homemade dark fudge sauce and the Signature hot chocolate made from pure cocoa and Gifford's signature chocolate mix.

The hot chocolate is not the only warm treat that will attract visitors. "We have started to make fresh baked cupcakes and cookies daily," he said.

The cupcakes come in flavors of chocolate, vanilla, and the famous red velvet. Cookies are traditional chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin for health conscious.

Roosevelt Jennings, a Gifford's employee, is convinced inaugural revelers will indulge in Gifford's ice cream, regardless of the weather.

"New customers always leave with a smile," he said confidently.  "We have the best ice cream around with a 17 percent butter fat content which makes the ice cream extra creamy and smooth."

Jennings hopes customers will want to try the store's unconventional ice cream flavors such as Peppermint Stick and 72% Chocolate Chip.

"We also have the best customer service around," Jennings chuckled. "We all have a good time at work and really enjoy helping customers and meeting new people. It will be fun come Inauguration week."

Thomas looks forward to an occasional visit from Obama family. The shop became a hit and a favorite of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy.

Thomas said he plans to carry Pumpkin Pie and Vanilla Almond Ice Cream, Michelle and Malia Obama's favorite flavors.

"We are growing and striving to be the best in town," Thomas said. "Like our motto says, 'we've been serving smiles since 1938.'"

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