Cortland Standard .net

By AMY GERNON
Staff Reporter
agernon@cortlandstandard.net
CINCINNATUS — A family tradition transformed into an expanding business for the Constantino family, who last year bought Dave’s Dairy Treat, a popular ice cream shop on Route 26.
This year, the family introduced the 18-hole Caddy Shack Mini Golf course to its growing venue, which had its opening day Sunday.
“We wanted to create something local for kids to do,” said Sharon Constantino, standing in front of the rural community themed course featuring a school house, fire truck, church and a mailbox labeled with the local postal code.
Before Sharon Constantino and her husband, Ron, took over the reins of the iconic ice cream shop and the accompanying 5-acre parcel of land at the intersection of Routes 26 and 23, it had been owned and operated for 33 years by Dave and Carol Harrington.
During that time the shop became a local meeting place, particularly for young adults in the community reconnecting during breaks from college, Sharon Constantino said.
“Every kid in town had their first ice cream at Dave’s,” Constantino said, explaining the importance of the shop to the local community.
Like many families in Cincinnatus, the Constantinos were regulars at Dave’s, celebrating opening and closing day each season, as well as other milestones like graduations and birthdays with delicious sundaes.
When word began to spread that the Harringtons were planning to retire and Dave’s might shutter for good, while the rest of the town went into mourning, the two youngest Constantinos convinced their parents to make an offer and keep one of their favorite local hangouts alive.
“I always wanted to open an ice cream place,” said the Constantinos’ son, Nick, for whom buying the shop was a dream come true. Constantino said she laughed when her son first suggested it, but quickly came around to the idea of keeping Dave’s in business.
“When Carol accepted my offer, I texted my husband, ‘What are we going to do now?’” Sharon Constantino said, adding that neither of them have any experience in food service. Constantino is a substitute teacher’s aide in Cincinnatus schools, and her husband is anelectrician.
But with the help of her children, family and many friends, as well as the former owners, Dave’s remains a beloved community fixture.
“Carol (Harrington) was beyond instrumental in helping us get off our feet,” Constantino said, adding that Harrington spent weeks training them to operate the soft serve machine and make the perfect ice cream cone, and connecting them with vendors.
“If it wasn’t for Carol’s help, I’d still be trying to figure how to work the soft-serve,” Constantino joked.
Adding a mini golf course was an idea that the Harringtons had considered before their retirement, said Constantino, who said that the former owners were very pleased to hear that the idea was coming to fruition.
“I think it’s a nice addition to the community,” Carol Harrington said, adding that she is happy to see the business continue to grow.
With daily specials and two four-week summer mini golf leagues, Constantino expects to see a strong first season for Cincinnatus’ only mini golf course.
In addition to mini golf, Constantino is bringing in live entertainment, including musical performances as well as popular shows like Dan the Snake Man, Crossroads the Clown and Jeff the Magic Man for younger audiences.
A stage has been constructed on the picturesque 5-acre property, where this Friday Steve Southworth and the Rockabilly Rays will be performing. The Constantinos have also beefed up the takeout menu, adding many items by request, including corn nuggets, and mac and cheese balls. Constantino said she is open to any suggestions to make her customers happy.
The ultimate goal is to create a space for indoor seating at Dave’s, and continue to add feature entertainment to their summer calendar, Constantino said.
One thing the Constantinos have no plans to change is the shop’s name.
“Everyone knows this as Dave’s,” Constantino said, adding that’s the way it is going to stay.