Graeter's Ice Cream Finally Comes to Northeast Ohio

Although summer may be fleeting, the tradition of Graeter’s ice cream endures. Thank goodness, since it’s taken the Cincinnati mainstay 146 years to open its first Northeast Ohio shop — which debuted at Crocker Park last month. The purveyor’s methods have remained largely unchanged since Louis Graeter first sold the frozen treat at Queen City street markets in the 1870s. “A hundred years ago, there were no freezers to store it in,” explains CEO Richard Graeter. “So you made it, and you ate it.” Graeter’s still uses 2 1/2 gallon French pot freezers to churn the initial cream mixture into a distinctly smooth consistency so thick it must be packed by hand. With retail locations throughout Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and Pennsylvania, Graeter’s works with farmers and suppliers to get the freshest ingredients. Take the seasonal peach, inspired by the classic Southern summertime combo of peaches and cream. “In the old days, we would go to Kentucky and pick them off the tree,” says Graeter. “The whole family would sit around and hand-peel them.” That sense of history and pride shines through every June and July when customers line up for a lick of the iconic flavor. “You can feel the sun warm your skin when you eat it,” says Graeter. 261 Main St., Westlake, 440-899-2158,
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