Izzy's Ice Cream Factory

[John]

Does anyone know when are they going to open and start scooping out ice cream?

[Andy]

The sign on the door says July 29 - walked by there a couple of days ago and the sheet rock appeared almost complete.

[mulad]

...and have we figured out if they're actually having a retail presence? The party line was always that it might only sell containers, right?

[alleycat]

...and have we figured out if they're actually having a retail presence? The party line was always that it might only sell containers, right?

Click on yay up above. Or if you're too lazy...yes.

[Didier]

If I remember right they were always planning to sell ice cream but initially wouldn't confirm that for some reason.

[lordmoke]

Izzy's just confirmed on Facebook that Monday will indeed be their opening, and they will be serving ice cream right off the bat!

[MSPtoMKE]

Opening soon!


Izzy's Ice Cream Factory by MSPdude, on Flickr

[min-chi-cbus]

Great shot! You make it look like Izzy's and Stone Arch II are the only two things in the universe in that shot. Both of those entities should be clammoring for this shot!

[MNdible]

Nice job capturing the C-130 in the picture too!

[lordmoke]

Nice little piece on Izzy's from the Journal, includes some info about the whole Shamrock-wanting-to-buy-the-land thing.

http://www.journalmpls.com/news-feed/iz ... l-district

[Didier]

I checked it out. Definitely a different feel from the St. Paul location, but not necessarily in a bad way.

The actual ice cream parlor is fairly small, really only encompassing the tall part of the tugboat. You walk in the main doors on the south side and the ice cream is pretty much right there, then you can go up the stairs to eat in a little crow's nest or else take your ice cream outside to the park. When I was there nobody was eating indoors, which is understandable.

So the majority of the building is the factory, which has windows along 11th Avenue.

Overall there was a decent turnout when I was there, just around 9 p.m., but even for the grand opening it was less busy than a regular summer night in St. Paul. I think that's OK, though. The St. Paul store is kind of a neighborhood gem that attracts a lot of families and big groups. In Minneapolis it feels like it will be a more modest retail operation geared toward the more urban demographic of the Mill City. I don't really expect large out-the-door crowds regularly in St. Paul, but it should get good use in the summer with all the people visiting the Guthrie and farmer's market and using the river trails.

Ultimately I think this area needs a good restaurant or two to put a little more life on the street, but Izzy's is a good start, and as the other retail grows I think Izzy's will be a good cornerstone of the neighborhood.

[TheUrbanGopher]

Went last night too. I kept my receipt for the scoop that I got so I can stash it in my hoarding junk drawer.

I went around 8:00, and the thing I loved was the number of people in Gold Medal Park holding cones. The times I go near the park it seems empty, but I was very glad to see how many were enjoying the evening.

[lordmoke]

From the Mill City Times, Izzy's sidewalk seating has been approved:
http://millcitytimes.com/news/izzys-ice ... roved.html

And some pictures of the opening/ inside of the store:
http://millcitytimes.com/news/izzys-ope ... -come.html

[Nathan]

I went today around 2 pm, a decent rotation of people going in and out, and EVEN people sitting around in Gold Medal Park eating their ice cream... amazing how easy it is to get people to utilize green space.

[Chauncey87]

Just had my first cone at Izzy's today and noticed that for almost the two hours I was down there the line was always at least ten people deep. What a great thing for Minneapolis to have. I can not think of to many cities that have such a nice ice cream factory next to a park. The park was also full of people eating cones and bowls of ice cream.

[Nathan]

Totally, I was there yesterday after going to the Polish Festival, and I have never seen Gold Medal Park with SO many people in it!

[min-chi-cbus]

There's a Polish Fest in Mpls??? Was it Casimir Pulaski Day or something over the wknd?

[Nathan]

There's a Polish Fest in Mpls??? Was it Casimir Pulaski Day or something over the wknd?

There's an 'everything' festival in Minneapolis

[MillCityTimes]

They finished the exterior painting yesterday, including the Izzy's red dot. Makes a big impact. Also, I spoke with owner Jeff last night and they're hoping to have their official grand opening around Labor Day, but it's not yet set in stone. Here are some pics of the new paint job:

http://millcitytimes.com/news/izzys-pai ... leted.html

[mullen]

oh nice i like that new paint. it's amazing how this one little builidng has transformed gold medal park.