Chippewa Valley Times

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire has introduced Olson’s Ice Cream to its campus dining options with a new ice cream parlor located in Davies Center.

“We had been brainstorming about a fun new food option to offer students, and ice cream immediately came to mind,” said Johnny Arnold of Blugold Dining. “After meeting with and accepting proposals from several vendors, Olson’s was selected as a perfect business for this partnership. Their plan was excellent, and Dan and Jeremy Hunt are Blugold alumni.”

For the Olson family, who have been creating locally made artisan-crafted ice cream in small batches for 80 years, this partnership provides a new place and way for Blugolds and visitors to gather and enjoy a local favorite treat.

“We are so grateful and excited to partner with UWEC,” said Dan Hunt. “We look forward to creating ‘sweet memories’ with students, faculty and administration, parents, and families for many years to come.”

After initial high-volume sales of pints in the campus T-Store and subsequent record-breaking cart sales at several campus events, the decision was made to find a location for a true “ice cream parlor experience” for students and the rest of the campus community.

The new shop opened on Sept. 4 next to the entrance of the Davies Center Marketplace food court.

Dan Hunt (left) and Jeremy Hunt (center), owners of Olson's Ice Cream, chatted with Chancellor Schmidt during his first visit to the campus parlor where he enjoyed a cone that included special blue-and-gold sprinkle-dipped chocolate.

Kristin Fitzsimmons, director of University Centers, expressed enthusiasm about seeing students lining up for their favorite scoops. She also mentioned specialty campus flavors already in development.

“It’s been really fun,” she said. “They launched the shop with a flavor just for us called Blugold Batter. It’s yellow cake batter-flavored ice cream with blue sprinkles. They are also very interested in creating a specialty Chancellor flavor ice cream next spring based on his favorite combo flavor.”

In addition to the new treat offerings, Blugold Dining has made it easy for students to purchase Olson’s ice cream using meal plans and Diner’s Club dollars for both T-Store pints and scoops at the parlor location.