Three sisters, inspired by their grandma’s incredible stash of sweets, are sharing that joy with everyone.
Aug 05, 2025 • Last updated Aug 05, 2025 •
Shaw’s Ice Cream in Tillsonburg has been crafting new and exciting flavors like Grammy’s Cupboard, Unicorn Toots and (pictured) Maple Cream Cookie in recent years. Pictured is Kelly Heleniak – part owner of the business – and Merissa Kyle at Dad’s Ice Cream stand in Tillsonburg. Photo by Jacob Robinson
Three sisters whose grandma had an incredible stash of sweets during their childhood are now spreading that experience to others.
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“She always had her homemade chocolate chip cookies and peanut butter cookies in the cupboard, along with these little brownies,” Kelly Heleniak remembers about her grandmother, Dorothy Mc Laughlin.
The cupboard is so fondly remembered that Heleniak and her sisters, Kristine Hayes and Kim Mc Cutcheon – owners of Shaw’s Ice Cream in Tillsonburg – decided to create a new flavor “Grammy’s Cupboard” to honor it. It features vanilla ice cream with a peanut butter ripple and bits of brownie and cookie dough.
The flavor was first launched at their dairy bar in St. Thomas, Heleniak shared. “We think of the dairy bar as like the ultimate test kitchen. We can come up with flavors. We’re serving it out front retail style, and it just exploded. Everyone loved it. By 2017, we revamped our 1.5-litre take-home tubs for grocery stores, and we knew it definitely had to be a flavor that we carry in the take-home tubs. It’s our Number 1 flavor.”
It’s this kind of creativity and willingness to explore new possibilities within the business that keeps customers coming back for more. Shaw’s offers nearly 70 flavors and introduces new ones each year on a limited basis unless they become popular enough like Grammy’s Cupboard to join the regular lineup.
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Take home offerings such as Unicorn Toots (vanilla cake batter ice cream with a pink frosting ripple and rainbow chocolate chips) began as a limited release but are now available in grocery stores throughout the province. Recently introduced flavors include Peanut Butter Boss, Monster Cookie, and Maple Cream Cookie.
“The idea is just to intrigue consumers into trying something new; they’re pleasantly surprised when they discover a cool flavor which turns them into repeat customers asking ‘what other cool flavors do Shaw’s have?’,” Heleniak said. “Of course there are classics like black sweet cherry, pralines and cream, chocolate peanut butter; however I think what really sets us apart is our unique flavor offerings.”
In creating this year’s maple cream cookie flavor, the sisters collaborated with another local Oxford County business – Jakeman’s Maple Syrup from Beachville – about using their cookies.
“It has become a runaway hit,” Heleniak said. “It feels very Canadian; I think it’s perfect timing too since people love maple along with maple cookies; plus we thought it was unique because no one else has a flavor like that.”
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“We hope to do more collaborations like this because it’s about small businesses working together to come up with some really neat ideas.”
There isn’t any set formula for coming up with new flavors-they might follow trends or mix samples together like scientists searching for answers to equations! Heleniak anticipates that Monster Cookie-based on a certain Sesame Street character-will soon be added to their regular lineup as they prepare for next year’s offerings. “There’s some pressure since you want them all to perform well,” she added. Right now we’re brainstorming ideas for our pitches in 2026 so we’ve got plenty of concepts we’re considering; however we want them all ready for success right from day one.”
Next year will mark a special milestone for the sisters as they celebrate their 25th anniversary owning the business which employs over 100 people during summer months. Each tub or scoop represents much more than just milk combined with sugar says Heleniak. This hasn’t loaded yet; your article continues below. “For us selling ice cream goes beyond just making sales-there’s emotions attached to everything we do! The ice cream manufactured connects us all through great moments-like winning soccer games birthdays or trips down by the beach,” she explained adding “Ice cream often triggers those wonderful positive memories! It’s fascinating knowing how something simple like mint chip cones can bring people back nostalgically recalling moments spent alongside grandparents.”
Speaking about grandparents-their own grammy has become quite popular among fans as sales for Grammy’s Cupboard rise! At age ninety-two Mc Laughlin is receiving flowers from grateful customers every day.
“She has turned into quite an icon because everyone enjoys hearing her story,” noted Heleniak. “You’ll frequently spot her on social media pages too! She even owns T-shirts stating ‘I’m The Grammy’, plus she’s attended store events since she’s thrilled being part of what we do!”
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There isn’t any set formula for coming up with new flavors-they might follow trends or mix samples together like scientists searching for answers to equations! Heleniak anticipates that Monster Cookie-based on a certain Sesame Street character-will soon be added to their regular lineup as they prepare for next year’s offerings. “There’s some pressure since you want them all to perform well,” she added. Right now we’re brainstorming ideas for our pitches in 2026 so we’ve got plenty of concepts we’re considering; however we want them all ready for success right from day one.”
Next year will mark a special milestone for the sisters as they celebrate their 25th anniversary owning the business which employs over 100 people during summer months. Each tub or scoop represents much more than just milk combined with sugar says Heleniak. This hasn’t loaded yet; your article continues below. “For us selling ice cream goes beyond just making sales-there’s emotions attached to everything we do! The ice cream manufactured connects us all through great moments-like winning soccer games birthdays or trips down by the beach,” she explained adding “Ice cream often triggers those wonderful positive memories! It’s fascinating knowing how something simple like mint chip cones can bring people back nostalgically recalling moments spent alongside grandparents.”
Speaking about grandparents-their own grammy has become quite popular among fans as sales for Grammy’s Cupboard rise! At age ninety-two Mc Laughlin is receiving flowers from grateful customers every day.
“She has turned into quite an icon because everyone enjoys hearing her story,” noted Heleniak. “You’ll frequently spot her on social media pages too! She even owns T-shirts stating ‘I’m The Grammy’, plus she’s attended store events since she’s thrilled being part of what we do!”
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