By Sara Beth Williams–
A nationally recognized ice cream chain now has a location in Citrus Heights.
After months of construction, Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream opened to the public on Tuesday morning, Oct. 8, in the Almond Orchard Shopping Center, after holding a special opening Monday night for several friends and family, owner Melissa Carlile said. She and her husband, Blake, own six Handel’s ice cream locations, including one in Folsom, Natomas, and Roseville.
Although open to the public already, Manager Paige Ales said the shop is planning an official grand opening event to be held Friday, Oct. 18, which will include a balloon artist, face painting, and other family-fun activities.
Store employees, two of whom are veterans who’ve worked for Handel’s since 2019 and 2020, and one who just started working this week, expressed their excitement.
“The community has been great so far. We’re really excited,” Carlile said.
The shop in Citrus Heights is Handel’s biggest location, Carlile said, adding that more furniture is on order. Currently, there are a handful of tables as well as high-top counters where customers can eat, but Carlile said Handel’s has traditionally been an ice cream shop where people can grab a “quick treat” on the go. This location will have options for customers to do both, with enough space to add a few more tables.
Carlile also plans to develop a space for private parties because customers in other locations have been asking for one. The private party room, which already has several tables and a large flatscreen TV, will have counters for gifts and food, pinball machines, and other games. A roll-down door will give customers the option of creating a more private space.
Carlile said the Citrus Heights location has been in the works for about two years.
The ice cream shop is known for making homemade ice cream fresh each day and has been featured in many news outlets and magazines throughout the country.
Menu items include classics like single cones, sundaes, banana splits, and milkshakes, along with specific signature items like the “Hurricane,” which includes homemade vanilla ice cream blended with a variety of candy or cookie pieces, and “Handel Pops,” which are similar to cake pops but with ice cream in the middle of a hard chocolate coating.
Seasonal flavors for the fall are already debuting, according to the company’s social media page, including flavors like “Pumpkin Ripple” and “Pumpkin Cheesecake.” The shop also serves ice cream sandwiches, dipped ice cream cones, and sells ice cream in pint and quart sizes.
Handel’s has multiple locations across 15 states, according to the company’s website. The eatery was first opened in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1945 by Alice Handel, and original recipes incorporated fresh fruit.
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream is located at 8055 Madison Ave. in Citrus Heights with current operating hours of 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
A nationally recognized ice cream chain now has a location in Citrus Heights...
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