- Attraction: Clown Cone and Confections
- Location: 3431 Cleveland Ave, Ste F, Columbus, OH 43224
- Industry: Ice Cream Shop
- Website: https://clownconesandconfections.com/
For nearly five decades, this North Columbus gem has been cramming more joy per square foot than should be legally possible, transforming a modest storefront into what can only be described as stepping inside a candy-filled piñata.
Clown Cone and Confections’ Owner Mark Daniel received this ice cream shop as a high school graduation gift in 1976, and it’s been scooping up smiles and creating sugar-powered memories ever since.
You’ll find this whimsical wonderland tucked away in the back corner of Northern Lights Shopping Center, where its unassuming exterior gives no hint of the sensory explosion waiting inside. Once you discover this hidden treasure, you’ll understand why three generations of Columbus families consider it a neighborhood landmark worth the hunt.
Ice Cream That Breaks All The Rules
Superman Ice Cream: The undisputed champion here comes in eye-popping red, yellow, and blue swirls that somehow taste like banana—a delightful surprise that catches first-timers off guard every time. This nostalgic favorite represents everything magical about Clown Cone, where expectations get wonderfully scrambled.
Nearly 40 Flavors: From classic chocolate and vanilla to creative seasonal offerings like lemon cheesecake, pumpkin pie, and carrot cake, you’ll discover both familiar favorites and adventurous new tastes. Some flavors, including the beloved Reese’s Cup, are made fresh by Mark Daniel himself, ensuring each scoop delivers that perfect balance of creamy texture and bold flavor.
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Keep Exploring →Homemade Waffle Cones: The aroma of fresh-baked waffle cones fills the air, providing the perfect edible vessel for your ice cream adventure. You can opt for sugar cones, regular cones, or the special double header cones that somehow make everything taste even better.
Specialty Sundaes: The Tin Roof sundae loaded with hot fudge and Spanish peanuts creates the perfect sweet-and-salty combination, while the Brownie Surprise features a warm brownie base that transforms your sundae into a decadent dessert masterpiece.
Cappuccino Crunch: This coffee-flavored creation studded with chocolate toffee bits and nuts delivers sophisticated flavors that surprise visitors expecting only kid-friendly options.
A Candy Lover’s Paradise
Penny Candy Galore: You’ll feel like you’ve discovered a time machine when you spot the extensive penny candy selection, where kids can still grab a small basket and load up on individual pieces that cost mere cents. From Swedish fish to candy cigarettes, the variety spans generations of sweet memories.
Baseball Wrapper Chocolates: These nostalgic little gems wrapped in miniature baseball cards have become a signature treat that visitors specifically seek out, combining the thrill of vintage collectibles with creamy chocolate satisfaction.
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Discover MoreClassic Confections: Shelves and bins overflow with every candy imaginable, creating a rainbow of sugar possibilities that would make Willy Wonka jealous.
The Clown Collection Experience
975 Clowns Strong: Every surface showcases friendly clown faces—from tiny figurines to elaborate marionettes, creating an immersive experience that manages to feel cheerful rather than overwhelming. You’ll spot clown piñatas, crochet creations, light switch covers, and even clown-themed Pez dispensers throughout the compact space.
Not For Sale: A prominently displayed sign makes it clear that the extensive clown collection isn’t available for purchase, which tells you just how many people have tried to buy pieces over the years.
Happy Vibes Only: Manager Davelle Morgan ensures that only joyful, non-scary clowns make the cut, maintaining the shop’s reputation as a genuinely happy place where even clown-wary visitors feel comfortable.
Atmosphere & Décor
Organized Chaos: The space feels like a treasure hunt where ice cream coolers, candy displays, and novelty items compete for attention in the most delightful way possible. Despite the cramped quarters, the organized chaos somehow works perfectly, creating an adventure every time you visit.
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Keep Exploring →No-Line Policy: You’ll quickly discover that traditional queuing doesn’t exist here—instead, the experienced staff somehow keeps track of everyone through an invisible system that ensures every customer gets served with a smile.
Salt & Pepper Museum: Oddly enough, you’ll also find an impressive collection of cartoonish salt and pepper shakers for sale, adding another layer of whimsy to an already eccentric shopping experience.
Limited Seating: With just one small two-person table inside, this spot clearly prioritizes the grab-and-go experience, though plenty of parking makes it easy to enjoy your treats in your car or take them home.
Other Considerations
Unbeatable Pricing: You’ll be shocked by how affordable everything remains—a milkshake plus two scoop cups and a pint to-go rings up around ten dollars, making this one of Columbus’s best value destinations for quality treats.
Fiestada Pizza Surprise: For $1.50, you can snag a hexagonal personal pizza that tastes exactly like elementary school lunch, complete with tiny beef pieces and sweet tomato sauce. It’s deliberately nostalgic rather than gourmet, but that’s precisely the point.
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Discover MoreRewards Program: Frequent visitors can join the SpotOn rewards program to earn incentives, which makes sense given how many customers become regulars after their first visit.
Hidden Location: Finding the shop requires navigating to the very back of the shopping center, but the adventure of discovery adds to the overall experience rather than detracting from it.
Multi-Generational Appeal: You’ll witness 50-year-olds sharing childhood memories with their own kids and grandkids, creating a beautiful cycle of tradition that spans decades.
Specialty Clown Cones: If you want an elaborate clown-faced ice cream cone, you’ll need to call ahead with two days’ notice—but the regular cones and cups provide plenty of magic without the wait.
Clown Cone and Confections
📍 3431 Cleveland Ave, Ste F, Columbus, OH 43224
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