Handel’s Ice Cream opens at Canyon Crest Towne Centre

You know you’re the parent of a teenager when your 12:30 p.m. offer for an ice cream breakfast barely moves the bed sheets. It took a few minutes, but my 13-year-old eventually threw on his shirt and flip-flops and trudged to the car with me for a quick run to the new Handel’s Ice Cream at Canyon Crest Towne Centre. It was a Tuesday afternoon, and a decent little crowd had gathered. I suspect “little” will not be a fair descriptor of the gathering for much longer.

I feel silly doing an ice cream review. The variety of flavors and formats is more than adequate. Sorbets and Sherbets are available for people who want them, and you can even get something for your dog. GO! The Towne Centre is, as it has always been, a wonderful place. Where else does your strip mall come with a shady trail by a bubbling brook? Ice cream is good, Handel’s makes good ice cream, and Canyon Crest Towne Centre is a great place to eat an ice cream cone.

Handel’s Ice Cream was founded in 1945 in Youngstown, Ohio. It has become a national brand known for its expansive variety of daily-made ice cream flavors. The brand has enjoyed growing hype, and multiple locations in neighboring towns have built an eager anticipation for its first local franchise.

Handel’s is one of the first new businesses to open after a reshuffling of management and tenants at the Towne Centre. Everything indicates that they should do very well.

Handel’s is now open and will celebrate with an official grand opening on June 15, where the first 100 people get free ice cream for a year. They are open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at 5225 Canyon Crest Drive.