Feeling Graeter's in Castle Shannon as shop opens
When Andy Webster heard Graeter’s Ice Cream was opening a Castle Shannon shop Friday, he hurried down for his two favorite scoops– black raspberry chocolate chip and coconut chocolate chip.
“I am so happy it’s here,” said Webster, of Mt. Lebanon, who knew the company from his time in Columbus, Ohio. “This ice cream tastes the best. You can tell it is real dairy. It’s unbelievable.”
His wife, Lauren, agreed that the tastes were sweet.
“It is very good,” she said, while enjoying a scoop of chocolate.
With Friday’s opening, Castle Shannon now has the second Graeter’s location in Western Pennsylvania. The other shop is in Wexford.
“We are thrilled to be in the South Hills,” said Marcus Cox, store manager. “Some of our customers in Wexford have been asking when we will open in the South Hills. We are happy to bring ice cream to them here.”
Graeter’s is found in more than 6,000 grocery stores, including Giant Eagle, in 46 states. The Cincinnati-based company has more than 54 retail stores selling the craft ice cream and ships over 300,000 pints annually for online mail order sales.
Graeter’s is a fourth-generation family owned business that’s been around since 1870.
There are currently 25 to 28 flavors available and up to 35 in the summer months. A pint is $5.99. A traditional scoop is $4.75. Black raspberry chocolate chip is the signature flavor, Cox said.
The Castle Shannon shop has indoor seating as well as an outdoor patio, where dogs are welcome. The first Thursday of the month from May to September is Dog’s Night Out, where the canines receive a free treat.
A portion of proceeds from Friday’s grand opening celebration benefited Pressley Ridge, a nonprofit organization that provides education, foster care and other services to to troubled children and families.
What makes Graeter’s unique is that the company creates craft ice cream using a French Pots, a small batch, artisanal method of production dating back over a century, said Cox.
“We have so many flavors that everyone can find one they like,” said Cox. “There truly is something for everybody.”
Graeter’s Ice Cream shop is located at 437 Mt. Lebanon Blvd., Castle Shannon.
Details: 412-668-3641 or https://www.graeters.com/
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region’s diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of “A Daughter’s Promise.” She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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