Creamery of the crop

On the dreary afternoon of July 13, Todd McCain recalled not having many options for a cool summertime treat when he grew up in Arbutus.

Now, McCain, 36, is celebrating the one-year anniversary of owning Three Bears Creamery, which he purchased last year and began operating in April 2010.

McCain, who has owned Three Bears Carry Out next door to the creamery for five years, said he wants his cold dessert shop to offer gelatos, milkshakes and snowballs to help residents beat the heat.

"I think the thing that separates us most is we do have some unique flavors," McCain said, noting cheesecake, tiramisu and orchid cream among its 30 flavors. "Everything is homemade in the store, and we use a lot of natural ingredients.

"We're selling a more higher-end ice cream for a regular ice cream price."

He noted that the store makes ice cream daily and sells soft-serve ice cream cones for 99 cents and also distributes product to two restaurants located in Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties.

McCain said his business on 4501 Annapolis Road has done as well as he expected for its first year.

His plans for the future include providing ice cream to more restaurants and to increase foot traffic in the store.

The foot traffic it does draw is loyal.

Aaron McCracken, a Woodlawn resident who works in Arbutus, said he stops by the store whenever he has the opportunity.

"I don't really like going to the (supermarket) for ice cream," said McCracken as he waited for his order of cheesecake ice cream with a graham cracker topping. "This just has a better taste to it. You can tell it wasn't frozen and sitting around. It tastes fresher."