Patsy's Candy & Gift Shop — Local services in Manitou Springs

Someone told us on our trip that we had to try the ice cream at this place and that's why we arrived here. The building looked kind of unusual from the outside and quaint on the inside. When I say "quaint" I mean sort of old and eclectic - furnishings that seemed to have been pieced together over the decades, but no particular theme or design in mind.

In the middle of the room I encountered a printed document that spoke to the quality of the ingredients that are used in their ice cream - the amount of fat in the milk or cream they use, how they insist excellent but expensive components. Okay. I appreciate things done well. Sure. In fact, this document spoke of things not being done very well anymore and quality being hard to find. Yes, I was moved by that statement.

So, here for the ice cream, we ordered a scoop of something wonderful in a waffle cone, and I was delighted to find they had Mountain Dew in their fountain, my favorite. So a drink and a scoop of ice cream in a waffle cone and I remember being about ten bucks in on that and thinking "wow." My first bite of the ice cream told me that it was in fact, pretty fantastic, and very creamy. Outstanding ice cream indeed.

But things got weird as I paid for the treats - and a week later I'm still not sure what went down. As I handed a ten dollar bill to the young, tall skinny brunette female who was looking after us, I noticed a tip jar at the register and a paper sign on the jar - handwritten, the words "college fund", some other stuff, and "tips." (Actually, I guess the ice cream and the drink were about eight and a half bucks,) so I was going to put the remaining dollar and a half in this tip jar, so I just I said "put that in the college fund."

She didn't seem to hear me as she had her hand outstretched, still, with the change and I looked her in the eye this time, and again said "...thanks, that just goes in the college fund jar." Still, blank stare, hand outstretched, trying to give me back my money. Confused - if there was some unknown language barrier or other issue, my girlfriend and I took the change and put it in the jar, and our cashier, turning her back and walking away said "I already graduated college."

My girlfriend congratulated her as she left us at the cash register. It was the oddest interaction ever. The cashier didn't look back, respond or acknowledge the tip as the dollar bill and change jingled into the jar. I really have no idea what went down. Dunno if it was a one-off or common there. Was there a language, culture, or other issue present? I can only speculate, but the strange discomfort of the interaction is still puzzling. I'll probably be on my deathbed someday, and ask those within earshot - "I wonder why that girl wouldn't take my tip at that ice cream shop in Manitou Springs." They, of course, will be as nonplussed by my odd question, as I was with my original experience. Then...we can all be equally confused, and I can slip quietly into the hereafter, with a mischievous smile on my face, recognizing that the strangeness has finally been passed on to others and it's no longer mine to carry alone.

Yep.

But...it was very good ice cream. I'll give them that. :-)

Sadly, if I had it to do over again, I'd eat some cheaper-ingredients-and-too-much-sugar ice cream elsewhere, saving a few bucks while having a less awkward and unsatisfying experience as a tourist passing through town. The weird, combined with the expense, overshadowed the delicious ice...

What an incredibly rude and disrespectful staff! I was standing at the street window next to the person placing her order, just the two of us standing in line. A crowd of five or six people walked up to get in line next to me. At this point the teenage girl at the register told the crowd that the line goes the “other way” and for everyone to move to the other side. The people all started to shift to the other side while I waited to place my order bc I was next. The girl then told me that she was not going to take my order bc I had not moved to the other side with everyone else and now I would have to go to the back of the line. We are talking literally three feet to the left of where I was standing. I apologized and said I must have missed the sign that that directed the order line spot. She said there is no sign, but that is just the rule. At this point one of the other employees approached the counter and demanded that I not argue with her and for me to ask the people in the line if they would let me cut in front of them, as he smirked at me.

I really had wanted a funnel cake but it was not worth all that disrespect. I guess they get so much business bc of their location at the penny arcade there is no need for them to be concerned about being nice...

Great place to go if you tired of eating and just plain fed up with places that offer good customer service. I try not leave bad reviews but this place deserves new ownership or at least management. Went twice the same day. My kids are at the adjacent arcade. The first time the lady got the order right but gave me change for a 20 not the 50 I just handed her. She was far to stoned to understand. She could make a smoothie but arithmetic was not something she was capable of. Gave up. I don’t like making a scene. The second time I used my card despite the sign saying cash preferred ( because now I know why it’s preferred) forgot half the order and then after being ignored at the pick up spot despite making eye contact I went to the order line. After 15 minutes in line refused to believe they could have made a mistake. Don’t waste your time or money here. Lots of places sell the same food and...