Founded in Youngstown, Ohio all the way back in 1945, Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream is an ice cream franchise with a kind of customer loyalty you do not see often. There’s a regular story you hear: Youngstown natives move out of town and find they miss it so much they want to bring it where they live.
That’s what franchisee Patrick Frank told What Now on Tuesday, the day before the 10-year anniversary of his bringing Vegas its first Handel’s.
“A lot of people move out of Youngstown and they can’t find it anywhere,” says Frank. It’s what happened to Frank, and to a business partner with whom he says he’s also at work on a new location in Tampa, Florida. “It’s nothing against any of the places in town. It’s just not Handel’s.”
With that kind of loyalty comes patience: Frank signed on four years ago to open the Handel’s at 10445 Spencer St. in Henderson, near the intersection with St. Rose Parkway. It has been a very long wait, but that location is now preparing to launch this spring, with an estimated opening in April.
“The truth is, that St. Rose/Cactus/Spencer area is just exploding with growth. So I saw what was going to happen. I think it’s to be a huge success.”
The secret behind that confidence and that loyalty? The product.
“At each location, the ice cream is made in-house, each day. That’s why it’s so fresh. Whether you’re ordering in Las Vegas or Pennsylvania or Ohio, it tastes the same. It’s always the same ingredients.”
And as it turns out, the Spencer Street location won’t be Henderson’s only spot for Handel’s beloved ice cream. Frank says he’s under contract for a second Henderson location. (A site has yet to be selected.)
“We should have space [on Spencer Street] turned over the next three weeks. Then there should be 7-8 weeks for the buildout,” Frank said. “That’s the gameplan.”
So hang in there just a little longer, Henderson!
You can keep up with news of these openings by following @handelslv on Instagram.
