Handel’s ice cream shop opens in Downingtown

DOWNINGTOWN — If you are looking for a place that sells ice cream — and specializes only in ice cream — then Handel’s of Downingtown is the spot.

The new ice cream shop, at 520 E. Lancaster Ave., sells 47 flavors every single day.

Maria and Andy Rick are the owners and also own another franchise store, one of about 140 in the U.S., in Royersford.

“We do one thing really well,” Maria Rick said. “It’s making fresh ice cream every single day.”

So what’s the secret?

All the fresh ice cream served is from one to four days old.

“What sets us apart is that the texture is hard but with a soft consistency because the ice cream doesn’t get frozen,” Maria Rick said.

The flavors will change monthly depending on what sells at the 1,900-square-foot shop.

“If you like it you can buy it, the lowest selling ice creams are replaced,” she said.

Specialties this month include: chocolate peanut butter brownie, birthday cake, butter pecan, something called oooh…dough, monkey business and vanilla, of course. The shop also sells vegan ice cream, with no milk, another with almond milk and also sorbet.

There are enough different cones to keep everybody happy, with waffle, dipped waffle and sugar cones.

Cones with different toppings and waffle bowls, both dipped and undipped, are available.

Maria enjoys serving the public.

“You get to see the satisfaction, especially on the little kid’s faces,” she said.

“Meeting new people and seeing the smiles on their faces,” husband Andy Rick said is what’s great about working at Handel’s.

The shop smells divine.

“We don’t’ smell it anymore because we’re here all the time but people say it smells sweet,” Maria Rick said.

The Ricks employ about 35 workers — most are high school students.

“For a lot of the kids it’s a first-time job,” Maria Rick said. “We are helping to shape and mold their work ethic.”

Maria was an accountant and Rick was a chemical engineer. They have three children. With the two stores, Maria Rick said they “went from three to 63 children.”

The couple lives in Berwyn and for about five years lived in Downingtown. They are excited to be here.

As part of Thursdays’ grand opening ceremony, the Rick’s gave the first 100 people in line a free small cone or ice cream bowl for every week of a year. The first person was in line at 5 a.m. and all the certificates were given out by 10 a.m.

Handel’s of Downingtown is open Mondays through Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For more information, visit www.HandelsIceCream.com/Downingtown.