Handel’s Ice Cream is located at 8055 Madison Ave. in Citrus Heights. 

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Handel’s Ice Cream at 8055 Madison Ave. in the Almond Orchard Shopping Center in Citrus Heights, opened Tuesday, Oct. 8, welcoming the public to a taste of their 48  flavors of freshly-made ice cream, ices and sherbet.

A pair of large overhead monitors at the front counter features a colorful display of generously piled on three-scoop cones of the many different Handel’s ice cream flavors from which customers can choose from. The clever names of specialty flavors such as “Chocoholic Chunk,” “Monkey Business,” “Snappy Turtle” and “Blue Monster” invite an immediate taste test.

Handel’s is known for its four-scoop ice cream sampler, piled-high three-scoop waffle cones, milkshakes and a wide range of seasonal and popular ice cream flavors, typically available for take-out by the scoop, in a waffle cone bowl, as a sundae or in a cookie sandwich.

Hand-packed pints or quarts of all flavors, including seasonal flavors, “Pumpkin Ripple” and “Pumpkin Cheesecake,” are available.

Blake and Melissa Carlile are the owners and franchisees of the new Citrus Heights location and others in the Sacramento area, including Elk Grove, Folsom, Natomas and Roseville. The couple have scheduled a grand opening ceremony at the store from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 18, after press time, and the first 10 guests will win free ice cream for a year.

The public event also features a balloon artist and face painting from 4 to 7 p.m.

Melissa Carlile is a former teacher in the Sacramento area, now a turned ice cream entrepreneur, and her husband, Blake Carlile, is a firefighter with Metro Fire. Together, the couple have four children, the youngest under age 7.

Pictured here is the exterior of the new Handel’s Citrus Heights location.

The new 3,500-square-foot Citrus Heights retail store is the couple’s sixth and largest location. The store is located on the city boundary line between Citrus Heights and Fair Oaks, which is divided by Madison Avenue.

Interior construction required the demolition of existing concrete flooring and the installation of new drainage to handle the requirements of multiple large ice cream freezers.

In an earlier interview, Carlile said the success of their other five stores encouraged them to consider looking for an additional location for further local expansion. Their new store location in the Almond Orchard Shopping Center fit their requirements, offering ample parking and a safe area where families would enjoy a cold, refreshing ice cream treat.

While Handel’s has traditionally been an ice cream shop to grab a “quick treat” on the go, the Citrus Heights location has the option for customers to also eat inside.

Additional furniture for inside seating was pending delivery, store staff said. A separate inside area, planned as a party room that has a roll-down door to create a more private space will be available for parties and special events, Carlile said.

The couple is also looking to cater area corporate, school and private events where fresh Handel’s ice cream can be brought to scoop on site or available pre-packaged. For catering information, call 916-906-2909. A sample menu can be seen at https://handelsicecream.com/menu/.

Handel’s Ice Cream originated in Youngstown, Ohio and is continuing to open franchise locations across the West. As of January, Handel’s operates 125 corporate and franchise stores in 12 states. According to the company, the ice creamery began in 1945 with Alice Handel's signature strawberry ice cream recipe.

The company has since grown from a local favorite on the East Coast to a national brand with locations opening across the country. The company continues to use Alice Handel’s original methods and recipes.

Nearby businesses in the Almond Orchard Plaza include Miller’s Ace Hardware and a Vitalant blood donation center. The plaza is also home to Fabians Italian Bistro & Bar, Pastry Heaven Bakery, Kork Sips & Snacks, El Balcon Taqueria and Del’s Pizza.

Handel’s Ice Cream at 8055 Madison Ave. in Citrus Heights is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.