As many who have traveled through the quaint little village of Ballston Spa, they will remember the plaza that has been home to an ice cream stand, eat in restaurant and Dunkin Donuts for years. Over the past few months this little plaza has been undergoing quite a face lift as Mike Klein has taken over two storefronts and added his own flair for cars, bikes and the Car Kulture on a whole to bring back to life this great little stop for the family.
Klein will be accompanied by the Mayor of Ballston Spa, John Romano, as well as the BSBPA/Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association, and many friends and family to cut the ribbon for the business on June 7.
What makes the The Car Hop Ice Cream Shop different from most? First is the artwork that has been placed on the outside of the building where the hand-painted vehicles, done by internationally acclaimed Car Kulture artist Doug Hoch, have been strategically placed.
During the summer months, Klein promises The Car Hop will become a destination place for car and bike enthusiasts and will feature the finest of hand crafted foods. Monday's will be car night and Tuesday's are bike night. Both of these events are to be held between the hours of 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Parking will not be an issue.
Klein has not completed his vision for this plaza for the year 2013. The Car Hop Ice Cream Shop will be expanding by fall and will be moving into a larger year round space. Currently housing the newest of Upstate Cellular stores that he owns, Klein has decided scale down Upstate Cellular a bit to accommodate the move. The extra space inside will be dedicated to offering the same fine made to order menu specialties in a dining environment with hundreds of Kulture art items to view. The current Car Hop will be altered to a new and exciting concept in 2014.
The Car Hop is strictly made to order food, featuring many items not traditionally would not find in similar restaurants such as Nathan's hot dogs, fresh hamburger and steak, black and tan onion rings, named sandwiches, fried Oreos, bacon sundaes, premium soft serve ice cream, and many homemade items made fresh daily. There is a core menu board that you can order from, but daily there are new ideas and specials to choose from.
Klein is excited to say that his manager of the The Car Hop Ice Cream Shop is the famous Lovey Lee who is most remembered as a local morning DJ. It was her humor and personality that would get many of the commuters to work on time and in a great mood. Lee is critical in the formulating of the daily specials having been in the restaurant business for 25 years. Having a flair and passion for the preparation of food, she is always on a daily mission to add something a little different to the menu.
An ice cream shop offering Sheppard's Pie as a special is unheard of. But not here. Lee found a day when the weather was not working in their favor—a little too wet and damp for a traditional lunch, so she quickly put together homemade Sheppard's Pie, saving the day and warming all who enjoyed the special.
The hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 12 p.m. to 9p.m. on Sundays.
For more information please contact Klein at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
