Earlier this year, we announced that Jesse Mason and Helen Qin had signed a lease to move into the old home of Ohio City Ice Cream and, before that, Dari Delite, which had operated as a seasonal ice cream shop for the past 60 years.
We also relayed the ice cream-preneurs’ plans to open their doors in April. Well, that didn’t happen. But Mason’s Creamery (4401 Bridge Ave., 216-245-8942, masonscreamery.com) did finally host their soft opening last week, just a “few” months beyond their intended opening date. Apart from the weather, it went off without a hitch, says Mason.
“It went great, even though on Friday there was a torrential downpour and then on Saturday there was hailstorm for like half an hour, it was good,” he says.
The pair flew through tubs and tubs of ice cream as scores of their diehard fans came out to support them, inspect the new digs, and eat delicious ice cream.
Following a full week of “working out the kinks,” Mason and Qin have opened the ice cream shop up for real, with weekday hours of 2 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday hours of 2 to 10 p.m., and Sunday hours of 2 to 6 p.m. The shop is closed on Mondays.
At the newly refurbished shop, guests will find delicious ice cream in flavors like sea salt caramel, Cleveland Whiskey and Mexican chocolate. What you won’t find is the new sign.
“Like everything, it’s taking more time than we want it to,” says Mason, adding that they are enrolled in a city-supported signage program.
Moving out of the Cleveland Culinary Launch & Kitchen and into their own retail and production space will allow Mason’s Creamery to expand its wholesale business. Already Mason’s ice cream can be found at The 9, Jack Flaps, Jukebox and Streat Burger, but more restaurant clients are in the works, says Mason.
For now, the couple is just thrilled and relieved to begin the next chapter of their business lives.
“We’re glad that were here and open now,” says Mason.
