Those who have been missing their ice cream fix from the Village this summer will soon be satisfied.
Grandma Betty’s Ice Cream Shop, which has been closed for nearly a month, will reopen by June 15 in a new location in the Village.
Business coordinator Jeannine Lake said she has a good feeling for the non-profit ice cream shop with the relocation to 1412 West University Ave., by The Cup.
“We did move out of our location but we’re not moving out of the Village. We’re moving deeper into the Village,” she said. “I’ve heard so much [about changes in the Village] and I feel like for us, it was the best decision to secure a five-year lease.”
The change in location came after an agreement with her former landlord that Lake described as “mutual.”
Lake said she is ready to move forward in the new location.
“I just want to be able to sell ice cream,” she said. “I miss my customers, I miss waiting on people, I miss being able to interact with people in the community; so for us, we’re just trying to focus on the future.”
The decision to move was related to Dill Street Bar and Grill closing their location, with plans to relocate in the Village.
Coldwell Banker Lunsford’s vice president of commercial realty Monty Brown said a lease has not been signed yet, but in the next two weeks, Dill Street Bar and Grill could sign a lease to move into the building at the corner of North Calvert and University, formerly occupied by CBX bookstore.
Brown said Dill Street would occupy two-thirds of the property, including Grandma Betty’s former space. The National Guard will occupy the west third of the building, formerly occupied by QL’s Barbecue. National Guard’s landlord has already signed the lease.
QL’s Barbecue was unable to be reached for comment. According to their Facebook account, they still open at their second location on Wolfe Street.
Lake said Grandma Betty’s had a business partnership with QL’s while they were in the Village together. She does not know at this point whether they will move back into the Village, but Grandma Betty’s new location will serve barbeque.
Having been closed in the Village for almost a month, Lake wants customers to know Grandma Betty’s will reopen with the same presence as the signature ice cream shop of the Village.
“It may take people a little while to realize we’re still here,” Lake said. “People might be thinking they’re not coming back. I’ve been trying to keep people aware on Facebook and Twitter we’re moving out, so I think we’re moving in the right direction for our customers.”
