Are you looking for a way to beat the summer heat? Treat yourself to a delicious ice cream cone or a refreshing iced coffee from Cups & Cones on Water Street in Washington.

Co-owners Rebecca Clark, Jayne Meisell, and Pat Lewis are no strangers to satisfying customers in downtown Washington. They acquired The Little Shoppes and South Market Antiques, located downtown on Main Street, about eight years ago. They recently sold those businesses (but still pitch on to work there occasionally), and opened Cups & Cones a little over a year ago.

Clark says opening a business during a pandemic has had its challenges. "We opened right before it started, so then we had to close for a while. But we are open now, and we are the only ice cream shop downtown that’s open seven days a week."

Cups & Cones is dog-friendly, with a balcony that overlooks the Pamlico River. You can enjoy your ice cream or coffee while taking in the gorgeous view -not to mention relishing the delicious breeze blowing off the water.

Cups and Cones’ offerings include Blue Bell Ice Cream, milkshakes, sundaes, coffee, lattes, Italian sodas, fruit smoothies, flavored teas, and a plethora of iced and specialty coffee drinks. Meisell says that their coffee is sourced from Lanoca Coffee Company in nearby Farmville, NC. "They roast our beans especially for us, so we have one-of-a-kind roasts that you won’t find anywhere else."

Cups & Cones also sells their coffee beans by the pound and can grind them for you to take home. They also sell bottled water and quick snacks.

These friendly ladies are proud to be very invested in the community. "We work with a lot of school and church groups," Clark says. "We are happy to open early if they schedule with us in advance."

Lewis says they are excited about this summer to offer sweet treats and encourage smiles. "We want everyone to know we are open to the public, not only boaters and visitors, but locals and anyone strolling downtown."

With so many goodies to choose from, we asked the ladies for an insider recommendation – we were dying to know their favorite treat from Cups and Cones! Clark recommends the chocolate milkshake, Meisell says the iced coffee with caramel syrup is her go to, while Lewis reccomends the Sea salt caramel ice cream!

To experience Cups & Cones, just head towards the Moss Landing Marina at 227 E. Water Street and follow the signage upstairs.

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