After having to close during the pandemic following a short-lived debut, the owners of a local ice cream shop are getting ready to open Totes Ice Cream in East Gainesville at 1714 SE Hawthorne Rd.
The owners originally opened a store at 8th Avenue called Hoggetowne Creamery but couldn’t stay open when COVID restrictions took effect, according to Gregory Stetz, President at Stetz Properties, LLC. He tells What Now Jacksonville that they are now partnering with Steve Grimes to open Totes Ice Cream in East Gainesville. The owners have received their licenses to open, but it could be early next year until a grand opening. The group is tentatively planning to have a soft opening at the end of the year.
“We wanted to bring something to East Gainesville- especially something for families,” Stetz tells What Now Jacksonville. “When Hoggetowne Creamery existed, it was the closest ice cream shop to East Gainesville, and we noticed many of our customers were coming from this neighborhood. So when the opportunity for a fully furnished restaurant presented itself, we jumped on it.”
While Hoggetowne Creamery at 220 NW 8th Ave #10 was short-lived, the eatery offered delicious ice cream made with raw and locally sourced ingredients and vegan and dairy-free options. It’s unclear if the new Totes Ice Cream will follow this direction, but it will surely provide East Gainesville with a new place to get a sweet treat. Totes Ice Cream will offer various ice cream flavors and other snacks available for purchase.
