Stanley has a new spot to cool down and catch up. Sunset Slush, a family-run Italian-ice shop, has opened a fresh outpost along Charles Raper Jonas Highway, scooping Italian ice, traditional ice cream and sundae-style treats. Owners Amanda and Chris Wall say they are aiming less for a quick in-and-out stop and more for a casual hometown hangout where neighbors can linger.
According to the Gaston Gazette, the Walls opened the Stanley location on June 9 at 538 Charles Raper Jonas Highway. The shop keeps hours of 1 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 1 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 to 8 p.m. on Sunday. The Gazette also notes that Amanda Wall is a Gaston County native and long-time Stanley resident, and that she helped shape the concept so it would feel rooted in her family and the community.
What's on the menu
The menu sticks to the hits: classic Italian ice, a rotation of scoop flavors and sundae-style builds. The Walls said they plan to pair Ashby-brand ice cream with brownies from a local bakery for specialty sundaes. Brownies and other baked goods from Candy's Cheesecake Shoppe are listed on that bakery's online shop, and Ashby's Sterling ice cream is a regional favorite for small parlors in the Carolinas. Distributor Dutt & Wagner highlights Ashby's Sterling as a premium brand commonly shipped throughout the region.
Arcade plans and community
The Walls told the Gaston Gazette that the sweet treats are just phase one. A small arcade space, geared toward teens and families, is on deck as a later addition to the business. "We hope the shop will be a hometown spot people can come and enjoy," Amanda Wall said in the interview, underscoring their hope that Sunset Slush doubles as a neighborhood hangout, not just a dessert counter.
Why it matters for Stanley
Stanley’s commercial stretch along NC-27 already hosts a cluster of small restaurants and services, and the town’s business directory lists a mix of eateries and providers along the highway. Sunset Slush joins that lineup as another locally owned stop. The new shop is also part of the broader Sunset Slush network, which lists multiple franchise and mobile locations across the Southeast, while the Stanley operation remains in the hands of the Walls, according to the Town of Stanley and Sunset Slush.
The Walls plan to roll out the arcade later this summer while keeping the menu straightforward and family-focused. For now, the Stanley Sunset Slush serves as both a fast way to cool off and a small but visible sign of local business energy on Charles Raper Jonas Highway.
