New Season, New Owners at Hill-Top Creamery

It's one of the first signs of spring every year in East Greenwich, the opening of Hill-Top Creamery. In what has become part of the tradition, crowds lined up early for the noon opening.

Olivia Harrington and Meghan McBreen brought their lawn chairs and staked out first place in line at 5:30 am right in front of the serving windows.  They were first in line two years ago, but lost out last year and wanted to regain their title.

Bob Durant and his family showed up at 7:30, thinking they would claim the first place spot, but had to settle for fourth.

But it's not just a new season at Hill-Top Creamery. The popular soft-serve ice cream stand on Post Road also has new owners this year.

David and Susan Bulawka and their daughter and son-in-law Jennifer and Wayne Macari have sold the business to Frederic  (Ricky) Hoernle and his wife Cindy.

The Bulawkas live in East Greeniwich just up the street from the store.  Hoernle who has owned the Sun Club on Post Road for 26 years lives in Cowesett and grew up in East Greennwich.  Jennifer Macari grew up in East Greenwich and now teaches school in Warwick.

Saturday was not only opening day of the season but also the first day on the job for the Hoernle, who was getting on the job training from the Macaris. 

Bulawka says when the family bought the business ten years ago what they got was a seven month, seven day a week business.  Jennifer knew the business, having worked at Hilltop  at various times, including when she was in Junior High school.  Susan  previously worked in a bank and did accounting and Bulawka is a full time corrections officer.  At a family meeting they decided the time had come to enjoy life.

Their mentors were previous owners, Ed and Kay McDonough, who told them a story that became part of their business model.  The McDonough’s had gone to an ice cream shop and saw two children sharing a cone because it was all the family could afford.  They told the Bulawka’s to keep prices affordable so when families came in everybody could have ice cream.

“That’s why we have junior, small, medium and large.” said David, “so two kids don’t have to share.”

The Bulawka’s and Macari’s say they have a lot of good memories from their ten years and have enjoyed watching families grow and have a good time.  When they decided to sell they wanted to find someone who could carry on their traditions and feel they have that in the Hoernles.

Jennifer at one time worked at the Sun Club and the two families have known each other for a long time.  Hoernle said he had always thought it was a business he would like to own and had told the family he would be interested if they ever decided to sell.