Born from Passion
Served with Joy Love Pride Spirit Fun Gratitude
Chasing the Dream
A Love of Baseball and Ice Cream
With a name suggested by a friend – Fielder’s Choice™ – they blended their love of baseball and ice cream, creating unique flavors with baseball-themed names like The Dugout Floor™, The Muddy Cleat™, and The Wind-Up™.
Building the Dream
2005: Laying the Foundation
While working full-time jobs-—Mike as a Maine State Trooper and Sue as an insurance agent- they built the shop from scratch, selling personal items and taking out a second mortgage to fund it. They sourced used equipment from across New England and relied on friends and family for help.
Despite skepticism from local business advisors who doubted the small town of Sabattus could sustain a homemade ice cream shop, Mike and Sue were determined to see their vision through.
2006: Perfecting the Ice Cream
With no prior experience, Mike and Sue spent months experimenting with recipes, taking feedback from friends, family, and even Mike’s high school baseball coach. Every flavor had to meet their high standards, and through persistence, they perfected their craft.
Opening Day
Fielder’s Choice opened in March 2006 to an overwhelming response. On a cold March day in 2006, Fielder’s Choice in Sabattus opened its doors to an overwhelming crowd of friends, family, and curious locals. The shop’s drive-thru window—a novelty for a homemade ice cream shop—surprised many customers, some of whom got back in their cars just to try it.
For the first two years, Mike and Sue worked 80-90 hours a week to keep the shop running, while their sons pitched in during the evenings. By the end of that grueling stretch, they had saved enough to purchase a used walk-in freezer, a significant upgrade that made their operations more efficient.
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Expanding the Dream
2009: Manchester Location
Three years after opening their first shop, Mike and Sue expanded to Manchester, Maine. Using an SBA loan, they built the shop with help from friends and family, just as they had done in Sabattus.
2013: Old Orchard Beach Location
In 2013, the couple took on their most ambitious project yet, tearing down an old funeral home to build a shop in Old Orchard Beach. Despite initial doubts about the location, their faith in the quality of their product paid off, and the shop quickly became a success.
A Growing Legacy
Over the years, Fielder’s Choice continued to grow, with new locations in Auburn, Brunswick, and Bangor. Each shop transformed an old building—from a former pizza hut to an equipment rental facility—into a welcoming space for ice cream lovers.
Today: A Sweet Success
Two decades later, Fielder’s Choice is a thriving, beloved ice cream brand with multiple locations across Maine. Mike and Sue attribute their success to hard work, the support of their community, and the dedication of their incredible team.
Through every scoop, every smile, and every long night, they have remained true to their mission: to craft high-quality ice cream inspired by the simple joys of life and the timeless love of baseball.
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For the Love of Baseball and Ice Cream
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