LebTown took a visit to the Cornwall Inn and had a taste of its new ice cream parlor, as well as checking out its monthly art market.

The Cornwall Inn was bought by Faith and Dan Brandt in 2019, and the couple first began hosting weddings at the location last year.

Read More: New owners of Cornwall Inn adapt to pandemic

The Brandts also began the tradition of an Art the Inn event, where local artists set up on the grounds to market their wares — from soaps to food to clothing — to visitors.

The Cornwall Inn, located at 50 Burd Coleman Rd., opened Brandt’s Ice Cream Parlor June 26, the same day as June’s Art the Inn.

Faith and Dan Brandt pose behind the counter at Brandt’s Ice Cream Parlor. The parlor was initially planned to open last summer, but with spring weddings in 2020 pushed back until the summer, they could not also have the parlor open.

Since then, the ice cream parlor has been open Friday through Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. every week. It will stay open until the end of August, as the Brandts primarily focus on weddings hosted at the inn during the fall and spring.

Containers of ice cream at Brandt’s Ice Cream Parlor. Flavors include black raspberry, chocolate moo-shmallow, espresso caramel swirl, and more.

“It’s hard to be mad or upset in an ice cream shop,” said Faith, noting how successful the parlor has been thus far. “People just love coming in, and we see a lot of repeat customers.”

The Brandts strive to promote local business, both in the art market and the ice cream parlor. For one, their ice cream comes from Kreider Farms in Manheim.

A scoop of salted caramel crunch at Brandt’s Ice Cream Parlor.

“It’s local and it’s delicious, can’t go wrong with that,” said Faith.

They also source much of their menu from locally grown organic ingredients, including vegetables from their own home garden.

Vegetables for sale at Brandt’s Ice Cream Parlor. In addition to using their homegrown organic vegetables in their menu, the Brandts also sell extra produce at the parlor when they can.

What they don’t grow themselves they try to buy local, including meats from Groff’s in Elizabethtown.

The Brandt’s Ice Cream Parlor menu. In addition to ice cream, the parlor offers several lunch options.

For the most part, the Brandts’ first year of commercially running the Cornwall Inn was during tight pandemic restrictions. With most restrictions lifted, they have found that not only are they finding success with the ice cream parlor, but they will also be able to host more populated weddings this fall.

“It’s getting easier,” said Dan of how things have changed since he and Faith first started running the inn.

An outside view of the Cornwall Inn. Faith and Dan also maintain the grounds, which is Faith’s favorite part of running the inn.

“Before, it was a lot of hurdles to climb through,” Faith added. “Now everyone’s counts will be more normalized. There’s still going to be travel restrictions for some people but so far, it’s been better.”

A tent covering several stands set up at Art the Inn. Faith noted that the vendors are a combination of artists who come to every Art the Inn event and new artists, or artists who occasionally but not always set up at the event.

While the ice cream parlor will close for the season at the end of the month, Art the Inn will continue into the fall season.

  • The stand for Wired Design by Dana Hoff, selling mixed metal handmade jewelry.
  • Katie of Paradise Blooms stands by her floral arrangements. Paradise Blooms was the only stand set up inside the ice cream parlor July 31.
  • IC Epoxy Creations’ products are displayed on tables at Art the Inn. Stephanie Cutler’s products are all homemade using epoxy resin.
  • Kari Watchinsky stands behind the counter at her stand, Karelyn Soaps. She has been selling soaps and bath products since 2015.
  • Various pieces are displayed at the Lignum Cornibus table. The products are made from wood, resin and/or antlers.
  • Jamie Haist stands behind her tables for Glass Werks products. Haist designs and handmakes all her glass jewelry.
  • Jandi Goshert sits behind her table of homemade creations. Goshert works in several mediums, including dolls, print work, and more.
  • Allie Reilly smiles next to her art table. Reilly sells jewelry, decorative pieces, and humorous art prints.
  • Vanessa Santos, owner and designer for Rosa’s Petals, sits behind her table. She sells custom-made jewelry for her business, named for her grandmother Rosa.
  • The Kevin’s Crazy Kitchen Pickles at the Hipster Farm booth. KCK Pickles sells several flavors and types of pickles, some unconventional.
  • Candles displayed at Lancaster Wax Company. They sell candles, melts and more.
  • Art displayed at the Little Paper Travelers stand. Christen Eberly of Little Paper Travelers uses a variety of medium in her pieces, including stamps.
  • Paintings and art prints available at Vellichor & More’s area. Jessica Pietro of Vellichor & More paints a variety of subjects including animals, people, galaxies and more.

In addition to a wide array of vendors, Art the Inn also features live entertainment. At the July 31 event, aerialist Haley Stardust and acoustic musician Joey Pahl both performed.

Aerialist and circus performer Haley Stardust does her routine at the July 31 Art the Inn. She also performed at the June 26 event.
Joey Pahl sings and plays guitar at the July 31 Art the Inn. Pahl plays originals and covers of classic songs through the decades.

The next art the Inn will take place Saturday, Aug. 21, and the ice cream parlor will be open until the end of the month.

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Emily Bixler was born and raised in Lebanon and now reports on local government. In her free time, she enjoys playing piano and going for hikes.