Print

Email story

Comment

Letter to the editor

Finally, a scoop on Cold Stone

After delays, the ice cream parlor will open on Dec. 21.

By RODNEY THRASH & JARED LEONE, Times Staff Writers
Published December 14, 2007

WESTCHASE 

Ice cream lovers, rejoice. Cold Stone Creamery, plagued by financing and construction delays, will open Dec. 21 in Westchase.

For months, the fate of the ice cream parlor - part of the Westchase Town Center on Linebaugh Avenue - remained a mystery.

Cold Stone announced a July opening, then pushed the date back - twice - without explanation.

Construction didn't start until that month, then ceased the next.

Tile was not laid. Electrical work was incomplete. Stacks of unopened boxes lined the walls. Ice cream makers and other equipment remained in plastic wrap.

Rumors started to swirl.

The only thing that suggested an ice cream parlor was still on the way was the franchise's red and white logo hoisted above the main entrance. And company officials now admit that sign was intended for another location in Sarasota.

"There's a third-party contractor who puts up all the signs," said Henry Matthison, owner of the Westchase Cold Stone. "I didn't have the financing lined up or anything."

Once Matthison got the financing, construction resumed in November. At 1,880 square feet, the Westchase Cold Stone will be larger than ones in other locations.

"The Westchase area is more residential as opposed to high pedestrian where you just walk up and get your product," he said. "You're going to sit down and relax. We wanted to offer a little bit more in space."

Westchase homeowners can't wait to have their own neighborhood Cold Stone. Since November, people have stopped by and asked Davy Campbell and his construction crew, "When are we going to open?

"Especially moms with children," said Campbell, field superintendent for Florida Handling System, the general contractor. "People want what they want when they want it."

Healthy Alternative:

Evos Restaurant's first franchise opens Sunday and will offer free food to help a good cause.

The health and environmentally conscious fast-food haunt features many vegetarian and vegan options, as well as food that has reduced calories, trans fats and processed ingredients. The restaurant also will serve beer.

Free food will be offered Sunday and Monday and donations collected will benefit the Pancreatic Cancer Research Foundation.

The store is near the University of South Florida at the University Collection shopping center, 2774 E Fowler Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call (813) 969-3867 or visit www.evos.com.

[Last modified December 13, 2007, 07:53:09]