Petersen’s Ice Cream is bringing its century-old ice cream parlor to southwest Phoenix. Founded in Chicago in 1919, the family-owned company plans to open its fifth Arizona location at the upcoming Laveen Towne Center during the fourth quarter of 2027, with owners targeting a September or October debut.
The new shop will be near Loop 202 and Dobbins Road. Co-owner Terry Spanos told What Now Phoenix the Laveen location stood out for the company’s expansion because it shares many of the qualities that attracted the company to its other locations.
“It reminds us of our other locations that we have, starting with the one in Chicago that’s been there for over a hundred and five years. It’s family and community-oriented, and that’s what we look for,” Spanos said.
Today, Petersen’s operates locations in downtown Gilbert, south Gilbert, Scottsdale, and Peoria. Each new location is designed to deliver the same nostalgic experience that has defined Petersen’s Ice Cream for more than a century.
“What we have to offer that is different is that we are an old-fashioned ice cream parlor. We are family-owned, and we operate all our stores. We make our own cones, we play old-fashioned music, we have actual dipping cabinets where you see the flavors of ice cream, and the kids get excited because they see the different colors.”
The company intentionally recreates elements of the original Chicago shop in every new location. Historic design elements, including marble countertops, tin ceilings, mirrors, and the brand’s signature pink-and-white color palette, are incorporated into the stores.
The Laveen opening is also expected to include a community celebration.
“We are going to do a big ribbon-cutting ceremony, and we want to give free ice cream on opening day so everybody in town comes and enjoys everything with us.”
Although Petersen’s has added more locations over the years, Spanos said the business has no plans to become a franchise. Instead, he said the family remains directly involved in every shop.
“If you see a Petersen’s Ice Cream, it’s owned by our family, and we take pride in every location.”
You can follow Petersen’s Ice Cream on Instagram for updates about the Laveen Towne Center opening.
