Missing the Igloo in Calabash!

As we head to Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina for our annual summer visit, our only sad note will be the absence of the Igloo ice cream stand in Calabash, which disappeared sometime around 2002/2003 between our summer visits.

Recently, I found the excellent daytime photo (above) of the Igloo from April, 2001 on Fotothing.

But our favorite photos are of our family and friends getting served delicious ice cream treats by the owners of the Igloo, John and Gloria Hoover. Like these from 2001.....

The typical scene on any warm summer night in Calabash in the early 2000s, the line at the Igloo, which was located on Beach Drive as you entered Calabash from the east.

Gloria Hoover serving Jane Berry. Note both of their smiles.

John Hoover looks on while Paul Ream holds a giant (plastic) rendition of their soft serve cones.

Paul Ream and Emily Hammer in front of the (now gone) Igloo road sign on Beach Drive.

Noted food critic and smoothie expert Allen Hammer (not pictured) in 2001 proclaimed the Igloo's peach ice cream sundae the finest he "EVER HAD", a view he maintains even now, 6 years later.

Not only was the ice cream great, but so were the Hoovers, who obviously loved sharing their ice cream with eager children and adults.

Curious about what became of the Igloo, I undertook a literature search that led to this 2002 article from the Myrtle Beach newspaper...

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IGLOO OFFERS COOL TREATS AND WARM TALK
Author: Jo Ann Mathews For The Sun News
June 30, 2002
Section: NEIGHBORS...NORTH STRAND
Page: 5

The shape of the building on Beach Drive in Calabash, N.C., snags people's attention.

Once they stop at the Igloo, they place orders for treats with names such as Tropical Shaved Ice, Banana-Strawberry Cordial Sundae and Tropical Sundae.

`When I feel really wicked I get butterscotch,'' said Jeanne Deacon of Sunset Beach, N.C., as she nodded with a sly smile toward the dish she was holding.

``I like the yogurt and the people that own [Igloo]. We come down and socialize while we eat.''

``It's a landmark,'' said Kitty Whitaker of North Myrtle Beach, as she savored her dish of chocolate and strawberry sugar-free, non-fat yogurt with hard-shell chocolate on top.

``You come here and you laugh,'' said Gus Barbetta of Carolina Shores, N.C., who gets his yogurt fix on a daily basis. ``[The Hoovers] are very friendly.''

After speaking with John and Gloria Hoover, owners of the Igloo, customers are hooked. John's soft-spoken voice indicates he's willing to cater to customers' requests. Gloria's infectious laugh encourages people to talk.

``Everybody seems to have a party when they come here,'' she said.

Benches and a picnic table encircle the front of the Igloo. Other benches offer comfort and privacy at the rear. People order treats with their favorite toppings and mingle on the grounds.

``A good portion of this is custom. That's why people feel comfortable. They know we'll do what they ask,'' Gloria said.

The Hoovers, both 74, left Toledo, Ohio, and moved to Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.

John retired from designing and constructing buildings and Gloria retired from teaching fifth grade and running a liquidation and appraisal business.

The idea for Igloo came to them one night when they wanted ice cream and couldn't find a place to get it.

John designed the Igloo, ordered 16 fiberglass panels and constructed the building. The couple researched the food industry and chose their current product. They opened the Igloo 13 years ago.

Customers hail from throughout the world. One man from England suggested the Igloo to friends, who followed up on his recommendation. An airline executive left his chauffeur-driven limousine to place an order. Actors from Screen Gems in Wilmington, N.C., have driven to the site. Those on golf packages return every year. Another time, a family stopped for cool treats before checking into their accommodations.

``We came twice today,'' said Jonas Butler, 9, in town with his family from Greendale, Ind.

His mother, Bridget, said her husband found the Igloo four years ago, and they go there every year.

The Hoovers open the Igloo at Easter each year and stay open every day until the end of November.

``I'd be bouncing off the walls if I didn't have this,'' Gloria said.

``This is my salvation,'' John said. ``I'd probably be in a rocking chair somewhere talking to people if I didn't do this.''

End of text.
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Curious, I e-mailed free lance writer Jo Ann Mathews, the author of the above piece and asked her why the Igloo disappeared between 2002 and 2003 summers. She shared this e-mail reply...

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"I've been wanting to write a story about the "passing" of the Igloo, which I may do yet. It happens the Hoovers did not own the land on which the Igloo was built. An elderly lady did, but she died and her sons sold the land to the owners of Jersey Subs, the restaurant behind the Igloo. The Hoovers were shocked but had to get off the land. John decided to sell his structure, which was bought by a moving company in Tabor City. I suspect the Hoovers moved back to Ohio, but I'm not sure. I haven't tried contacting them. There were quite distraught when I talked to them last fall when the Igloo was sold. I knew lots of visitors would be upset without the Igloo. Hope you found another suitable ice cream/yogurt place. ....

Thanks for contacting me.

Jo Ann Mathews
The Sun News
May 27, 2003

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Although I can't find what became of the Hoovers, I have found another Igloo in their former hometown of Toledo, Ohio. Could it be theirs? I hope so!! Photo below from Flickr

If you know more about what became of John and Gloria Hoover
or if they own the Toledo Igloo, please let me know!