Overflowing Cups and Cones was born in an impossibly long ice cream line. One summer evening at another shop, Earl and Carie Proctor decided to open their own business.
This past May in Hillsdale, the Proctors opened Overflowing Cups and Cones, an ice cream and coffee drive-through. While Carie was initially worried about the risk involved in starting a business, she saw an opportunity to spread the gospel and pray with the people she met at work, something she was unable to do at her previous job.
“She is really smart and has always been good at business,” Earl said. “I’ve always wanted her to have her own company. She’s constantly leaning out the window and praying with people here.”
Located at 214 S. Broad St., the coffee and ice cream shop was initially a carwash, but the previous owners transformed it into an ice cream drive-through. When Earl and Carie Proctor purchased the business, they expanded the menu to include more options for coffee, hot dogs, nachos, onion rings, and crispy chicken sandwiches. They now even sell breakfast items such as muffins, burritos, egg bakes, and bagels.
Freshman Abigail Benham agreed, describing her Oreo flurry as, “The perfect amount of oreo chunks in really yummy ice cream.”
Freshman Hana Connelly sampled one of the real fruit strawberry banana smoothies, “You can taste all the real flavors of the fruit; it tastes healthy, so props to them for not just using syrups.”
The Proctors said they value these flavor nuances and ensure that their food and drinks are prepared with precision.
“There’s a whole science to making coffee,” Earl said. “It’s actually hard for me when someone orders a drink to let anyone else make it because it needs to be perfect.”
To guarantee quality with every order, Earl carefully trains his employees on how long milk must be frothed, precisely what temperatures drinks must be heated to, and how many shots of espresso should be added for the best taste.
In addition to providing great food, the Proctors strive to uplift their customers and fulfill the Great Commission through their business. As part of this joint focus, Overflowing Cups and Cones hosted worship nights every Tuesday evening from July through August. Local bands and artists led participants in praise, followed by a brief gospel message as guests enjoyed food from the drive-through.
“I think I’ve seen my wife pray with more people here than I’ve ever seen her pray at church,” Earl said.
The Proctors’ audience looks to support the couple in their missions.
“It’s nice to support local businesses who care about you too, not just huge corporate chains,” Connelly added.
