If all goes as planned, Mitchell's Homemade Ice Cream will open its 10th scoop shop at Van Aken District, the new urban hub presently taking shape in Shaker. Brothers Mike and Pete Mitchell will tell you that every location is dear to them, but this one has a special look, feel and location that sets it apart.
"We had the opportunity to do something special with the building and we feel pretty great about it," says Mike, adding that the shop has three walls of floor-to-ceiling glass and a seamless connection with the outdoors.
From the start, the transit-oriented project has been described by principals as "the anti-corporate, anti-lifestyle center for the residents of Shaker," a quality that was not lost on the brothers Mitchell.
"It doesn't feel like a shopping center, it feels like a neighborhood," notes Mike. "It's a great feeling that my brother and I get when a community reaches out to us to have some sort of presence there. We like to find ways to be part of communities in a special way."
Following a few last-minute hoops, this newest arrival should be scooping ice cream for the general public by lunchtime today.
"We're excited to be a part of this project, but also part of the Shaker community," says Mike.
For more on the Van Aken District project, read this preview, which includes information on other food and drink tenants that will soon be joining the project.
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