The new San Diego branch of Handel's Ice Cream will open as part of a new mixed-use development under construction in Little Italy that will also house The Boy & The Bear and other incoming tenants. The opening is timed to take advantage of the area's heavy summer foot traffic and tourism draw. The new Little Italy shop is expected to offer the full range of Handel’s signature scoops, sundaes, and cones, continuing the company's steady march through San Diego's sweetest neighborhoods.
The upcoming Little Italy branch will join franchisee Josh Barton's growing portfolio of Handel’s outposts in the region, which already includes shops in Hillcrest, Chula Vista, La Jolla Village, and near the SDSU campus. While Barton says he isn't currently pursuing additional storefronts, he has recently rolled out a Handel’s Ice Cream food truck, which will appear at major venues like Snapdragon Stadium and Viejas Arena this fall as part of the brand’s sponsorship of SDSU athletics.
Founded in 1945 in Youngstown, Ohio, Handel’s has earned a devoted following nationwide for its handcrafted approach. Every batch is made fresh on-site daily, with more than 100 rotating flavors like Graham Central Station, Monkey Business, and Banana Cream Pie. The brand’s commitment to small-batch quality and bold mix-ins has helped it grow to over 150 locations across 15 states and earn accolades such as “#1 Ice Cream in the World” by National Geographic.
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream is expected to open in Spring 2026 at 2100 Kettner Boulevard in San Diego's Little Italy. For more information, visit handelsicecream.com.
