The Best Ice Cream Around is Made in a Bake Shop

“We make our homemade ice cream with only milk, cream, sugar, salt and our
all natural scratch baked goods right here at our bake shop in Halifax.”
-Thomas Whitt, Pumpkin and Bugg’s Proprietor

I first tasted Pumpkin and Bugg’s baked goods from their space at the farmers market on Depot Street in Roxboro. Then, when they opened Pumpkin and Bugg’s Bake Shop in Hall’s Way in Roxboro, NC my taste buds rejoiced while my waistline expanded. The story of that shop appeared in the Spring 2021 issue of this magazine. The first time I tasted their homemade ice cream was in Pumpkin and Bugg’s Bake Shop II at their new location in Halifax, Va.

It Started with Donuts

The Best Ice Cream Around is Made in a Bake Shop — The ice cream master at work. By Norwood Walker

To test the waters, the first baked product offered to the public was donuts. It was 2020, the year of Covid, and starting any new business seemed risky at best. They used social media to test the waters and get feedback through a donut giveaway. Encouraged, they started selling at the farmers market in Roxboro and in September opened the bakery in Hall’s Way. Soon, brownies, cookies, and muffins were added to their selection.

As they expanded their business, they sold their baked goods at the South Boston Farmers Market and began to search for a larger home for the bake shop. In March of 2023, they opened at their current location on Halifax Road, right before you cross the railroad tracks.

My First Visit to Their New Location

When they closed the bakery at Hall’s Way, I missed one of my go-to places and fell into mourning. I missed lively conversations with Thomas, but I missed the baking more. When I walked into the new place, it was like returning to an old friend’s home. The vibe was somewhere between coffee house chic and living room comfort. But my focus was on that showcase of fresh baked goods. Then I saw the ice cream section. After the sample test, I had to have more. I sampled the lemon crunch, but had two scoops of the black walnut brownie. That way I got chunks of heavenly brownie with the equally divine ice cream. Sitting in one of the comfortable purple chairs looking at the front of the shop, I was able to see the steady stream of customers coming in. Each one received a warm greeting by name, which let me know these were repeat customers. It was a cross-section of any population that stopped in that day, including mothers and children, professionals on lunch break, and even the Halifax town manager.

Their most popular ice cream flavors are Butter Pecan Love, Double Stuffed Cookies and Cream, Brown Sugar Walnut Brownie, Banana Delight, Double Dark Chocolate, Lemon Crunch, and Original Vanilla. You can enjoy it by the scoop… one, two, or three. In a cup or in a cone. You can even take some home from their pint or quart ToGo Menu.

Last Words

This is one of the best bakeries and now ice cream shops I have ever experienced, and I have patronized quite a few. Also, it is one of the closest places to get homemade ice cream in the area. But more than that, it is a fun destination. It is a great starting place to explore the area, a great refreshment stop, and just a nice escape from reality and a place to enjoy REAL good baked goods and REAL good homemade ice cream.

Best to go early, especially on Saturdays, as everything is baked fresh and the only freezers you will find in the shop hold the ice cream. The menu is seasonal with muffins, cookies, and ice cream making best use of fresh products. And did I mention they have coffee? Some of the best in the area, complete with flavoring syrups that Thomas makes right at the shop.