As local kids head back to school this month, downtown ice cream shop and much beloved lunch spot Stam’s Luncheonette is celebrating the return and expansion of its popular reading incentive initiative, Stam’s Sweet Readers. Launched in early 2026 in partnership with local bookstore The Bookplate and Lippincott Designs, the early literacy and youth engagement program is officially kicking off its second year as school gets back in session—expanding to all grades including Kindergarteners at H.H. Garnet Elementary and opening participation to all public, private, and homeschool groups across Kent County.
The program’s inaugural spring season proved to be a resounding success, demonstrating a strong appetite for reading among local youth. Redemptions of Stam’s signature Build Your Own Sundae Spectaculars officially opened in April with 23 students claiming their sweet rewards in the very first month. The sweet treats continued followed by a steady turnout of 15 to 18 young readers each month through the late spring.
For Brandywine White, owner of Stam’s Luncheonette, the response from the community made the project deeply rewarding.
“My staff and I loved talking to the kids about their favorite books they read throughout the month and hearing them look forward to doing it again the next month,” said White, who started the program after being inspired by Pizza Hut’s Book It program from the early 1990s.
To top off the year, 14 dedicated Garnet Elementary students completed all months of the spring reading challenge. Stam’s hosted an end-of-school-year VIP celebration for the readers and their families, where 13 of the qualifying students gathered for complementary sundaes and received formal certificates presented by Stam’s owner White, Chestertown Mayor Meghan Efland, Chief Dixon of the Chestertown Police Department, and Garnet Elementary Principal Brenda Rose.
“Seeing the pride on the kids’ faces when they came in to redeem their prize was so special,” said White. “It was especially fun when the sweet reader would come in with their whole family and make it a celebration they could all enjoy. Delivering a sundae spectacular to a kid and seeing their face when they realize it’s all for them is literally a dream come true for me, and I feel so lucky that Stam’s can be a part of it.”
Running from October through May this school year, Year Two of Stam’s Sweet Readers encourages elementary students to log their monthly reading goals to earn custom ice cream themed progress stickers, free sundae vouchers from Stam’s, and $5 book vouchers from The Bookplate, culminating in an end-of-year VIP celebration and $20 gift certificate to The Bookplate next spring. Teachers, administrators, and homeschool coordinators can learn more, view full program guidelines, and register their students for the upcoming school year at stamsluncheonette.com/stams-
Stam’s initiative is part of a broader, vibrant ecosystem of downtown businesses and organizations dedicated to nurturing early literacy and ensuring equitable access to reading across the community. The Bookplate plays a pivotal role by funding book vouchers for reading challenges, donating books to local schools, and hosting community book giveaways. Meanwhile, the Kent County Public Library’s Chestertown Branch anchors youth efforts with year-round children’s storytimes, its annual Summer Reading Program, and milestone initiatives like “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten”—collectively ensuring that every child in Chestertown has the resources and encouragement to build a lifelong love of reading.
Main Street Chestertown extends its congratulations to Stam’s Luncheonette on building such a successful community initiative. By using its platform to promote childhood literacy and a love of reading in our youth, Stam’s helps enrich community connections and maintain a vibrant, welcoming downtown district for all generations.
One Response
Bravo to all, the readers, businesses and the participating schools.