Big Dipper Ice Cream marks 20 years with back-to-back Readers' Choice wins in Okotoks

Big Dipper Ice Cream scooped up two Western Wheel Readers' Choice Awards, taking gold for Best Dessert/Ice Cream and silver for Best Place for a First Date. The shop, located on McRae Street near Olde Towne Plaza, has been serving over 60 flavours for 20 years.

"We're really excited. We're really grateful that people appreciate the Big Dipper so much," said Emily Pomares, the store's lead. "It's a family-owned business, and we really care about our customers and the quality we're serving. We just want people to come here and have a good time."

For a first date, Pomares recommends two standout flavours. "Chocolate peanut butter is a really good baseline — a lot of people really like that one. Or sea salt caramel fudge. Those two are really popular. I think that everybody would like those ones for a date," she said.

The shop's longevity and consistent flavour lineup — a mark of stability in a neighbourhood — have clearly resonated with voters. Pomares thanked the community for the recognition: "Thank you so much for acknowledging us and coming so often. We're really happy to be here and to serve the community."