The "Make Mine A Chocolate 'Jigger'" Story

One of the two entrances into the "Jigger Shop" at Mt. Gretna.

It was an ordinary day.  Standing in line with my date at the "Jigger Shop" in Mt. Gretna.  For years I have told Carol that sometime I would like to take her to Mt. Gretna to eat.  Well, before it's physically impossible, I thought we better make a lunch voyage.  Just happened to be Labor Day and the last day that the "Jigger Shop" is open for the season.  Traditionally their busiest day of the year, which needless to say, I didn't know.  We picked up our friends Pat and Dale slightly before 11:00 AM and in 15 minutes pulled into the parking area near the restaurant.  

View of the "Jigger Shop" eating area at Mt. Gretna.

Walked through the gift shop that is next to the place and when we saw a line begin to develop about 11:40 AM we walked over towards the entrance.  Five minutes later the line had stretched to the parking lot.  Wow, I knew this was a popular restaurant, and we have previously stopped for a snack in the evening, but never knew it was this popular.  As the three of them waited in line I wandered off with my camera to snap a few photos of the place and the surrounding area.  Mt. Gretna is a beautiful little town nestled in the woodlands between Lancaster and Lebanon.  and the "Jigger Shop" is right in the middle of the action.  It is known for the quality of the food, the generous serving sizes, the friendly service, the old fashion methods of creating outrageously delicious ice cream treats for their patrons and the world renown "Jigger".  

Sign saying "Myers Pavillion" is about the door of the "Jigger Shop."

It was founded in 1895 by a Mr. Myers (no one seems to know his first name) who established the ice cream parlor known as Myers Pavilion just inside the gate to the Chautauqua (more on that name in a future story).  In 1910 a group of girls from the nearby Campmeeting Grounds urged one of the waitresses to make them "something different."  

The "Jigger"

Together the waitress and the girls created a new ice cream sundae.  It was a hit and thereafter the girls would always ask for "one of those jiggers" when visiting the shop.  Jigger, in the early 1900s meant "Thing", so the girls were just asking for one of "those things" when they asked for a jigger.  The new concoction became so popular that the owner eventually renamed the Pavilion, the "Jigger Shop."  So, exactly what is a "Jigger" you are wondering?  Nobody knows exactly, except for the owners of the "Jigger Shop," for you see, the secret recipe for the jigger was passed down from owner to owner and they have nevered shared the recipe with anyone.  Today's owner's, Chuck and Charlotte Allwein, the seventh owners of the establishment, have said that people have suggested marketing the special topping, but they are a lover of tradition and refuse to tell anyone.  

Ice Cream counter at the "Jigger Shop".

Over the years the "Jigger Shop" has changed much, yet the friendly and cozy atmosphere still remains.  When an addition was made to the outdoor seating, taking it to approximately 200 seats, rather than clear the surrounding trees to allow for the larger deck, the owners built the deck around the trees.  And, I'll tell you, it makes for a fantastic atmosphere in the wooded hills of Mt. Gretna.  The menu isn't super large, but the quality of the food is great.  Hamburgers aren't the usual patties you get elsewhere, but ground round beef.  The only criticism the owners ever get is that they are too busy.  One could only hope that to be true of their own business.  For me, I didn't realize the place was only open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.  That explained why the crowd today was so very, very large.  

Painting for sale at the "Jigger Shop".

Of yeah, the jigger is a special concoction served in a tall parfait glass which begins with the basics: vanilla ice cream, chocolate or butter- scotch syrup, thick marshmallow topping and a heaping spoonful of jigger nuts.  That's the mystery part of the sundae.  Oh yeah, as I was standing in line, quite a few times I heard, "Make mine a chocolate jigger with an extra scoop of jiggers on it."  I'm sure the girls who helped created the jigger are enjoying them in Heaven as you are reading this.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS - Photos below show the "Jigger Shop" in the past.  Photos are from the "Jigger Shop" website.

"Jigger Shop" in 1905 when it was still called Myers Pavillion.

Entrance to the "Jigger Shop" in the 1960s.

Outside the "Jigger Shop" with owner Chuck Allwein on the steps.

Soda fountain from years past.