In 1947, just two years after the end of World War II, a new chocolatier arrived on the scene.
It delivered high-quality, comforting confections and friendly service to a nation that had been through a lot. More than 70 years later, walking into a Kilwins is still food for the soul. The first thing you notice is the intoxicating aroma of crisp, freshly made waffle cones, followed by a dazzling array of treats wrapped in glittering cellophane. Next, you may perceive how cheery the atmosphere is, and the fact that patrons at the ice cream counter are given all the time they need to make the all-important flavor determinations that will set them on the path to their perfect scoop.
Kilwins’ soft, rich ice cream begins with fresh milk and cream from family farms, and first prepared as a premium base in small, Kosher-certified batches.
To make the “The Perfect” Apple Pie, the premium base combines vanilla, cinnamon caramel swirls, baked apple pieces and sugared pie crust chunks. “It’s just my favorite,” says Max Wilhoit, the General Manager of the Kilwins at Shelter Cove Towne Centre. “Everyone should give it a try!”
Other popular flavors include the Sea Salt Caramel. It’s a creamy, vanilla-flavored concoction with swirls of salted caramel and chocolate-covered caramel candy. The Toasted Coconut and the New Orleans Praline Pecan are also a must taste. Kilwins freezes these first-class confections in custom tubs. Then, their own carefully controlled refrigerated trucks ship the deliciousness.
This chocolatier’s commitment to excellence shows in its reviews, sprinkled with adjectives like bouncy, cloud-like, rich and creamy.
Visitors detail the excellent service, describing it as fast, friendly, helpful and respectful. They mention the hand-dipped caramel apples, the original recipe Mackinac Island fudge hand-paddled and then left cooling right in front of you (clever!), and all manner of treats dipped in chocolate.
Also, in a season when piping hot drinks are the ticket, mention must be made of Kilwins’ traditional hot chocolate, a festive party of chocolate shavings, fluffy whipped cream and homemade marshmallows. No matter the season, Kilwins has its complement. “Anyway,” asks Wilhoit with a grin, “what beach trip is complete without goodies?”
Hilton Head’s Kilwins is located in the Shelter Cove Towne Centre across from Francesca’s and around the corner from Belk. It is open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12 p.m.-9 p.m. on Sundays.
By Dani Ray
Kilwins Hilton Head
28 Shelter Cove Ln., Unit 112-B
(843) 785-2727
www.kilwins.com
