ROCKY RIVER, Ohio — The newest location of a nationally-acclaimed ice cream franchise has officially landed in Rocky River.
A brand new storefront for Handel's Homemade Ice Cream will open in Rocky River on Thursday, April 20, just in time for weather to heat up and sweets lovers to cool down by enjoying their many frozen treats.
And how about this? The first 100 people in the door on opening day will receive a prize of free ice cream for a year. Also, a balloon artist will be on hand from 1-3 p.m. on Thursday, with a magician set to dazzle guests from 4-6 p.m.
Rocky River Mayor Pamela Bobst will declare April 20 "Handel Homemade Ice Cream Day." Guests can also expect to get some free Handel's swag!
Morgan Rubin, Rocky River location operational manager, will be opening the doors to her second Handel's ice cream parlor, adding to the popular hand-dipped ice cream shop location she already been operating for several years in Avon.
If you need an excuse to try one of their 150 flavors, look no further than National Geographic Magazine. The publication ranked Handel's #1 on its list of 10 best ice creams as part of its "10 best of everything" series in 2018.
Rubin tells us that while their flavors constantly rotate, ice cream lovers can expect at least 48 options to choose from each time they walk through the door.
In addition to their creamy options, the Rocky River location will also offer a vegan sorbet to those who don't eat dairy products.
If you'd like to make your way to Rocky River's newest sweet spot, you can visit Rubin's Handel's location at 19935 Center Ridge Road. They'll be open every day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
At time of National Geographic Magazine's ranking, Handel's had locations in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Virginia and California. Today, they have franchise operators in at least 11 states and looking expand further.
Handel's originated in Youngstown, but its corporate headquarters is in Canfield.