Businessman gives scoop on ‘high-end’ ice cream store

Plans for a new ice cream shop in Kirtland are proceeding — and not just any ice cream shop.

Local businessman Tom Christopher envisions creating a destination for all of Lake County.

Plans include high-quality hard and soft serve. The hard serve “will be Mitchell’s quality, if not Mitchell’s,” he said.

In addition, there will be dairyfree and lactose-free options, plus alcohol-infused ice cream for adults.

“(It) is a nationwide trend,” Christopher said. “Very popular.”

A state liquor permit has been requested.

He also described an “extensive recreation area in the back for kids and adults alike.”

“The plan is to have a pretty sophisticated playground area and splash pad,” he said.

The city Planning & Zoning Commission on Aug. 13 approved a conditional-use

permit to allow outdoor seating and food consumption for the project, proposed at 9304 Chillicothe Road.

Detailed design plans will be submitted to the commission in the near future. The target opening date is April 15.

The property — formerly home to Kirtland Car Company — is held by Christopher’s TCE Kirtland Lodge LLC. A concept for the project was presented in March.

“Historically, we had Kokomo’s,

which was a very popular venue, and it closed and … it seemed we could use a high-end ice cream store with premium products,” Christopher said.

He noted that his daughter, Emily, a special-ed teacher in Kirtland Schools, will operate the store.

At the March meeting, he said it would be a seasonal establishment, likely closing sometime between Oct. 15 and Nov. 1.

The proposal complies with the city’s Comprehensive Plan.