A creative lady picking up fresh fruits from her garden back in 1945 and the fond memories of chocolate pecan ice cream inside the head of a former Nike executive form the framework behind this story.
In 1945 Alice Handel established Handel’s ice cream in Youngstown, Ohio. Initially selling from her husband’s gas station the business grew fast and in the long lines you could often find a boy called Tim Joyce. Those joyous childhood memories led Tim Joyce, a former Nike executive, to bring Handel’s ice cream to the west by creating his first franchise store in Sherwood in 2017. Stores in Portland and Eugene followed and a 4th store in Bend is coming in the fall of 2022.
Handel’s ice cream can be found in 11 states and over 75 locations nationwide. It has received may accolades from such publications as the National Geographic, USA Today, and the Travel Channel. Being fresh and serving the community is part of their culture.
It is a beautiful sunny spring day here in Eugene. Lets head over to the 5th street market alley and enjoy a refreshing cone of chocolate almond ice cream.
Please read on for my recent interview with Grace Miyoshi from Handel’s Eugene branch:
Q) The origin story of great businesses is fascinating. Can you please tell us a little about the background and how Alice Handel came to create Handel’s ice cream?
The origin story of Handel’s can be found here at the Handel’s franchise website. However, I do think the more interesting and relevant backstory is with our owner, Tim Joyce. He grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, where Handel’s began, which makes the franchise all the more important to him. He’s authentically connected with the company culture, values and products. Wanting to share the joys of Handel’s with the west coast, specifically Oregon, Tim began opened his first Handel’s in Sherwood (2017). Then one in the Portland metro area (2018), and finally in Eugene (2021).
Q)Is there a flavor or flavors you are especially proud of and how did you come to create them?
We have many iconic flavors at Handel’s and are proud of all of them. Some of our best sellers are Oree Dough (vanilla ice cream with Oreo and chocolate chip cookie dough pieces), Blue Monster (vanilla ice cream dyed blue with Oreo and chocolate chip cookie pieces), Salty Caramel Truffle (salted caramel ice cream with chocolate truffle pieces filled with caramel), and Chocolate Pecan (Classic chocolate ice cream with toasted salted pecans). The popular flavors depend on the store, but those typically do well; not to mention, the chocolate pecan is Tim’s personal favorite.
Q)Unfortunately we have to address Covid and how it has affected all of us, especially the restaurant industry can you tell us how you have managed and pivoted?
We opened our store during the middle of the pandemic in 2021, so we’ve had to adapt and be flexible from the beginning. We continue to do our best to keep our staff and customers safe by enforcing state mandated rules and encouraging vaccines. Since the opening of our store, we’ve depended on community support to keep doors open and we had a lot of it in the summer season. Additionally, we’ve expanded our services with delivery options like DoorDash to make products more accessible to more people.
Q) Can you please tell us a little about going local and trying to serve the community around you?
Going local is such an important focus for us. Again, Tim’s original inspiration was to bring his hometown flavors to local communities in Oregon. We depend on the community in many ways, so we love giving back as much as possible. It’s important for us to integrate to the Eugene community as much as possible by offering fundraiser opportunities to schools, non-profit organizations, and other collectives in the area. We also represent the 5th Street Market and do our best to engage in their activities, themes, marketing, and other initiatives.
Q) What do you see in the future of Handel’s ice cream and future advancements for ice cream!?
Handel’s ice cream continues to have strong growth plans not only in Oregon but around the country. We’d love to be a family favorite and a dependable ice cream brand. It is after all, the all American treat.
