Handel’s Ice Cream opens new South Gilbert shop with grand opening giveaways

Handel’s Ice Cream is opening a new walk-in shop in South Gilbert on Thursday, Sept. 17, with prizes, family activities and weekend events. The Arizona expansion adds another store to the brand’s growing Valley presence and includes delivery, catering and 48 rotating flavors.

Why it matters: - Handel’s Ice Cream is adding another Arizona location as it expands its Valley footprint. - The South Gilbert shop gives the brand another neighborhood presence in a fast-growing part of the Phoenix metro. - The opening also brings new jobs, community events and fundraising opportunities tied to local schools and groups.

What happened: - Handel’s Ice Cream is opening a new walk-in shop at 3984 South Val Vista Drive, Suite 104, in Gilbert. - The grand opening begins Thursday, Sept. 17. - The first 100 people in line will have a chance to win Free Ice Cream for a Year, Free Pint Per Month for a Year, $50 gift cards or $25 gift cards. - A spin-a-wheel promotion will run from 10 a.m. to noon for additional prizes. - Friday, Sept. 18 will feature a face painter, a balloon twister and a 360-photo booth from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. - The shop will host Celebrity Scooping events with local schools on Sept. 19 and 20.

The details: - Terry and Jennifer Keenen own and operate the South Gilbert shop with Operating Partner Vanessa Dodds. - The South Gilbert location joins the Keenen group’s other shops in Queen Creek Marketplace, Medina Station and Red Mountain Ranch. - The shop opens daily at 10 a.m. and stays open until 10 p.m. - The location will offer 48 rotating flavors, catering services and pickup and delivery through DoorDash, Uber Eats and Postmates. - Handel’s says the brand has served premium ice cream since 1945. - Handel’s says it makes ice cream by hand in small batches at each location and offers 48 flavors every day, plus more than 140 additional seasonal flavors. - The company’s franchise footprint now tops 175 locations across 20 states. - More information is available here and on Instagram at @handels_southeastvalley. - Handel’s franchise information is available here.

Between the lines: - The opening leans on local-school partnerships and giveaways to build early traffic and community ties. - Terry Keenen framed the pace of expansion as a sign of strong Valley demand, saying the team is grateful for the community’s appetite for the brand. - Vanessa Dodds said the South Gilbert crew is focused on making the store a local favorite from day one. - Handel’s has built its brand around a long history and a large flavor lineup, which helps differentiate the shop in a crowded ice cream market.

What's next: - The South Gilbert shop will continue regular daily service after the weekend festivities. - The team plans to keep working with schools, sports teams, clubs and nonprofits through fundraisers, sponsorships and charitable donations. - Handel’s continues to grow nationwide as it adds franchise locations across the country.

The bottom line: - Handel’s is using a high-energy opening and community-focused events to turn a new Gilbert store into a local destination quickly.