Norm's Ice Cream — Restaurant in Grand Haven

You won't believe how nice the people working here are. A few months ago in mid July 2020 -- July 16th I think, I was lost in Grand Haven. I was lost in all those little neighborhood streets, and I was trying to get to the main road but I forgot the name of the main road so google navigation could not help me either.

I saw this ice cream shop and stopped to ask them directions. But I thought I don't want to just get directions and leave, I should order something too (even though I didn't feel like ice cream at the time).

So I got the directions from them, and then I said I'd like to order a sundae with vanilla ice cream, extra chocolate syrup, nuts, whip cream and a cherry, with a can of pop. It cost 4 something. They did not yet start making anything when I pulled out my debit card to pay. The guy said they only take cash.

The other guy in the background was holding the cup to put ice cream in it but had not yet put any in the cup when I was told about the only cash policy. I replied that I was sorry and I didn't know about that, and I don't have any cash on me but thanks for the directions anyway.

But the guy replied saying that's fine and they will still make everything for me anyway. I said no no that's okay so they would stop making my order. But they still made my order and I got my whole order. I said thank you very much and I will for sure come back in a few days to pay you the $5 I owe you. I promise I will. They said they trusted me, it's all cool. The sundae was delicious as I ate and drove. This took place around 2pm. The 2 super nice guys working there were Connor and Joel.

I week later, I drove back to this business. I got there around 9:30pm and asked the girl working if I could see Connor and Joel. She said they weren't there right now. Then I realized they must work the day shift. I explained to this very nice, sweet girl that I came 1 week ago and had no money on me to pay but Connor and Joel let me have my order anyway...it cost about $5. So I've come to pay for that order.

I gave this very nice girl a $20 bill and said to keep the change as a tip for the kindness of Connor and Joel. I asked her to please be sure to tell Connor and Joel that I did come back and pay so they don't think I stole from them and lied about coming back. This lovely girl said she'll text both of them right now to let them know.

I had planned that I will definitely go to this ice cream shop many more times over the coming months just to give them my business. But I got busy in other things and didn't get enough time to go...because it takes time to get there and back as this shop is 70 miles 1 way from where I live.

In the spring of 2021 I will start going here a few times a month just to give them my business. 70 miles means nothing to me, I love to drive and...

I'm a local. My spouse was in the mood for a chocolate shake while we were driving on Beechtree. It was our first time at Norm's. We'd heard great things. It's good to know that Norm's serves the locally (Holland, MI) made Hudsonville Ice Cream. So, she ordered her chocolate shake. Service was quick and the young lady at the counter was both funny and engaging. Very nice experience. My spouse got her shake and we walked off. We were the only ones in line. I said: "Did you mean to get a soft serve shake?" She looked at it, and said: "It'll be alright, it's like a large Frosty." But she took three bites and tossed it. I guess when ordering a shake, you've got to be aware that while Norm's has awesome hard ice cream, you've got to tell them that you don't want soft serve. We'll be back. But now...

Simple, delicious ice cream experience. The first time I went, my cup wasn't big enough and they wouldn't give me a bigger cup or split it up into two cups. They did give me an extra cup, but doing it myself was extremely messy. They were pretty rude about it too, so I had to drive home with this dripping all over my car. Second time I went for ice cream (months later) they accidentally gave me soft serve, but they remade it for me and it was in a bigger cup with a top, so much easier to transport. Everyone was kind and helpful this time around. I would recommend them after this last interaction. It's a very popular spot where lots of older and middle aged couples hang out. There's limited parking, but there are a few tables for people to sit and socialize...