The Family (and Flavor) Behind BSL's New Flying Dolly's

Coast Cuisine - June 2026

I scream, you scream, we all scream for Flying Dolly's!
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- By Heather Dubuisson

The newest addition to Bay St. Louis's downtown scene is Flying Dolly's. While the brand itself is a franchise, the Bay St. Louis location is locally owned and operated by the Perniciaro family, and that family-first spirit is evident from the moment you walk through the door.
 

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While the location is owned by Mike and Micki Perniciaro and their daughter, Melanie, this enterprise is truly a family affair.  Melanie’s oldest daughter, Kelan Perniciaro, manages  the day-to-day operations full-time with the kind of warmth that makes customers feel less like patrons and more like guests in their home. Melanie's youngest daughter, Kaimbry Perniciaro, also manages when on break from the University of Tennessee. Bay St. Louis has been the home to the Perniciaro family for generations.
 

 
During our visit, we were welcomed by yet another family member, Michael III, who was home for the summer and eager to share the story behind the business. From the family's history with the brand to the care that goes into every product they serve, his enthusiasm was contagious. It didn't take long to realize this wasn't simply another ice cream shop. Behind every scoop is a family proud of what they're serving and genuinely excited to share it with their community.
 

 
Flying Dolly's takes pride in offering premium ice cream made without any artificial dyes. Every batch is hand-churned by a specialty family-run dairy, creating a rich, creamy texture that immediately stands out. The shop offers 17 ice cream flavor options, and there is always a dairy-free option for those looking for an alternative. 
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When asked which flavor was the one that customers absolutely shouldn't miss, Michael didn't hesitate: honeycomb. Of all the flavors we sampled, honeycomb quickly emerged as the star of our show as well. Built on a sweet cream base with honey and homemade honeycomb brittle, it delivers an unexpected combination of silky creaminess and delicate crunch. The sweetness is present without becoming overwhelming, and every component is balanced beautifully. It's the kind of flavor that keeps revealing something new with every bite.
 
The strawberry was another standout. Too often, strawberry ice cream relies on flavoring rather than fruit, but Flying Dolly's takes a different approach. Packed with real strawberries, each bite tastes bright, fresh, and unmistakably authentic. It manages to feel indulgent while still capturing the simple sweetness of a freshly picked berry.
 

 
Then there was Cookie Monster, perhaps the most playful flavor in the lineup. The bright blue ice cream immediately catches your eye, but the flavor is what keeps your attention. Imagine cookies and cream mingling with chunks of cookie dough, all wrapped in the blue nostalgia of childhood memories. It's fun, whimsical, and impossible not to smile while eating it. Adults will appreciate the quality, while kids will instantly declare it their favorite.
 
What stood out throughout the tasting wasn't necessarily one specific flavor, but the consistency across all of them. Each scoop felt thoughtfully developed, rich without being heavy, sweet without being cloying, and crafted with ingredients that were clearly chosen for quality rather than convenience.
 

 
For those looking to venture beyond traditional ice cream, the shop's stuffed sno-balls are worth exploring. We tried the Hummingbird, a combination of nectar cream sno-ball surrounding Honeycomb ice cream and topped with sweet cream. It was indulgent, refreshing, and generously portioned. We ordered a small, but the staff explained they intentionally serve them in larger containers to reduce the inevitable drips and spills. Even so, the cup arrived packed to the brim.
 
One feature that locals will appreciate is the opportunity to take home the rotating weekly flavors. Any remaining specialty flavors are packaged into pints and sold at the end of the week, giving customers one last chance to enjoy a favorite before the next rotation arrives.

 
Flying Dolly's feels like exactly the kind of business Bay St. Louis embraces: family-owned, community-focused, and committed to quality. Between the welcoming atmosphere, premium ingredients, generous portions, and obvious pride behind the counter, it's easy to see why this sweet new addition is already making a name for itself downtown. In a town built on local connections and hospitality, Flying Dolly's fits right in.
 

Flying Dolly's Bay St. Louis
111 Main Street, #C | Bay St Louis
(228) 344-3004
Summer Hours: Mon- Sat 12 pm - 9 pm; Sun 12 pm - 7 pm
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