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Bruce & Ollie’s ice cream, coffee shop opens in downtown Utica

Repurposing of Bickerman building nearly complete

Owners Jen and Matt Cetwinski, pose behind the ice cream counter at The Bickerman building downtown Utica on Thursday May 13, 2021. the Cetwinski family bought the building last November and renovated it into a ice cream, coffee and sandwich shop. built in 1874, the Bickerman Building has housed many businesses over the years. The village’s first post office occupied the building when it first opened. Clark’s Hall and Cary Theatre also were located in the historic structure. The building was left vacant from 1946-56 and, after it was bought by the Bickermans, Frances Bickerman embarked on a major building rehabilitation, including the installation of an elevator in the building to maneuver easily between floors. The elevator still exists. Most people, however, will remember the building as Bickerman’s Hardware from 1956-93 – Carey’s Barber Shop, a boutique, photography studio and a retail store.

Owners Jen and Matt Cetwinski pose behind the ice cream counter at The Bickerman building in downtown Utica on Thursday, May 13, 2021. The Cetwinski family bought the building last November and renovated it into an ice cream, coffee and sandwich shop.

By Tom Collins

Feel like having an ice cream while in downtown Utica? Two developers have opened a Mill Street ice cream parlor with beverage service and grab-and-go food.

Bruce & Ollie’s now is open in the old Bickerman Hardware building, 166 Mill St. Food isn’t available just yet but owners Matt and Jen Cetwinski threw open their doors this week and have so far enjoyed brisk business.

“Everything we have here is kind of grab-and-go,” Matt Cetwinski said Thursday during a tour of the refurbished hardware store. “You can sit here and hang out or at a table outside.”

Cetwinski interview Matt Cetwinski leads a virtual tour of Bruce & Ollie’s, the ice cream parlor he opened with his wife Jen in the Bickerman building in downtown Utica. (Tom Collins)

Village officials had OK’d the couple’s plans to redevelop the Bickerman building into commercial and residential components. Downstairs is the restaurant-coffee house featuring a walk-up window on the north side. Upstairs is condominium that already has been sold plus two rental units that are nearing completion.

“We left the stone walls and the beams (from) the original structure of the building,” Matt said, “but everything else is brand new.”

The store features takeout food and beverages for visitors to nearby Starved Rock State Park plus dine-in options for people who want to enjoy the lounge with fireplace, outdoor seating on Mill Street or, soon, a rear patio.

Hours of operation will be 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday until June and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

La Salle County BusinessPremium
Tom Collins

Tom Collins

Tom Collins covers criminal justice in La Salle County.