Something new is coming to downtown — and no, it’s not another coffee shop.
Heinen’s Downtown Cleveland is opening Heinen’s Ice Cream Shop, part of their reinvention of the Rotunda. But wait, it gets better: the shop exclusively features Mitchell’s Ice Cream.
“We wanted to do something that would really bring people into the store and provide a service that you can’t get downtown,” says Heinen’s general manager Josh Carter.
Besides Cathy’s, “there’s no other ice cream that you can get downtown,” Carter says. “Why not do something that’s unique and as great as Mitchell’s?”
The two Cleveland companies go way back. When Mitchell’s first started to take off 22 years ago, Heinen’s was the first grocer to give them a retail platform, Carter says.
“It’s a wonderful relationship. We both saw the opportunity. They’ve always wanted a shop downtown,” Carter says, “so it’s like a perfect marriage.”
Think of the Heinen’s Ice Cream Shop as a mini Mitchell’s — while they’ll carry 24 to 26 different flavors at a time, Carter promises at least three vegan options (like the coveted Vegan Buckeye that’s all the rage of late), three to four seasonal flavors and at least one sorbet.
These are joined by the staples, Cookies & Cream, Vanilla Bean, Banana Cream Pie, Black Raspberry Chocolate Chunk, to name a few.
“Wildberry Crumble, that one’s really popular,” Carter says. “And Blue Cosmo’s real popular with the kids.”
So that’ll explain all the blue mouths walking about the Rotunda’s first and second floors, where there’s available seating to enjoy your treat. Alternatively, shoppers can enjoy the sun on Heinen’s outdoor patio as well.
The Heinen’s shop will offer only bowls, cups and cones — with the exception of waffle cones, which will be available sometime after the opening date.
While there will be sprinkles for kids, don’t expect the usual array of toppings, or smoothies and brownies, served at an actual Mitchell’s store. But pricing will be the same.
The Heinen’s Ice Cream Shop featuring Mitchell’s Ice Cream will officially open May 23, with hours from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
“But if somebody wants an ice cream cone at 8:30 in the morning, we can serve that,” Carter says.
