An 80-year-old, Ohio-founded ice cream chain has opened its first Colorado location in the Southlands shopping center, at 23955 E. Plaza Ave in Aurora. Handel’s Ice Cream offers 48 flavors, with an additional 140 flavors that rotate seasonally, the company said.
Handel’s has 160 locations in 17 states, but the Aurora franchise is owned by Ben Pham, who grew up in town, and worked at a pho restaurant in the same shopping center when he was younger. “Southlands holds a very special place in my heart,” he said in a statement. “Being able to come full circle … feels incredibly meaningful to me.”
This Colorado debut adds to a record-breaking year for Handel’s. The brand launched new locations across the country, now operating more than 160 stores across 17 states. Along the way, Handel’s earned national recognition for rapid growth and industry leadership, including Franchise Times’ Top 400 and Fast Casual’s Movers & Shakers.
The store is open daily from noon to 10 p.m., serving flavors like black raspberry chunk, banana cream pie, chocolate chip cookie dough, butter pecan, green tea, confetti brownie batter, horchata, key lime and frosted animal cookie.
