Randy Young, president and CEO of Aglamesis Bros., said the renovation of the former Village Parlor has “been a slow slog” with contractors and supply delays, but said city officials have “been wonderful, they’ve done everything I’ve needed. They’re just really doing a fantastic job, it’s just getting all the work done.”
In July, Aglamesis Bros. announced it would open its third location in the region. Young is part of a third generation to lead the ice cream and chocolate shop. He chose to open inside the Davis Building at the northwest corner of D and Main streets in a growing area in the city’s urban core. The 513 Bar, across D Street, opened early this year, and True West is across Main Street. Rossville Flats opened nearly a year ago.
The chain’s other locations are at 3046 Madison Road in Oakley and 9899 Montgomery Road in Montgomery.
Credit: Aglamesis Bros’ Ice Cream and Chocolate
Credit: Aglamesis Bros’ Ice Cream and Chocolate
“It’s a big name and it’s local, and that’s what makes it cool,” said Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce President Dan Bates. “It’s not some big chain coming in.”
He said the city’s been abuzz about the news of the shop’s opening, with fans telling those who’ve never had the ice cream and chocolate about why they love it. But more importantly, Bates said, the decision to open this third store “continues to show the faith in Hamilton’s future.”
“They’ve obviously given this a lot of thought; they see the opportunity and they want to be part of the Hamilton community,” Bates said.
Hamilton Planning Director Lauren Nelson also said there are a lot of people in the city “anxiously awaiting” the opening.
“Aglamesis Bros. has been working hard to transform the space into their own,” she said of the corner location that was home to the Village Parlor, a restaurant and ice cream shop. “With each visible change thus far ― their iconic pink on the facade, new signage, decorative exterior lights ― excitement in the community is growing.”
Young said a management team is on board, and they are not looking to fill jobs, as his staff is already sorting through a thick stack of applications The company will evaluate whether more staff is needed after the store is up and running with about 12 employees, Young said.
“We are absolutely delighted,” he said about being in Hamilton. “It’s not like we’re opening up in another neighborhood of Cincinnati, we’re opening in a whole new city, so we’re coming in and our mindset is we’re coming in to adopt Hamilton, have Hamilton adopt us. We don’t think of ourselves as an outsider; we want to come in and be part of the fabric of the Hamilton community.”
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