By Nick Ramsey, For The Miami Student
Graeter's Ice Cream is a favorite local treat for many Columbus and Cincinnati natives. To the excitement of many ice cream fans, the popular chain may soon be opening a store in Oxford.
The Cincinnati-based Ice Cream Company known for its unique small batch French pot process has been quietly eyeing Oxford.
"We are actively working on a sight Uptown but we do not have a signed lease yet," Richard Graeter, President and CEO of Graeter's confirmed.
According to Graeter, the store will be similar to the Graeter's that opened in October near Xavier University, and the Over-The-Rhine location in Cincinnati.
"It will be an ice cream store with some candy, but no bakery," said Graeter. "If all goes well we should be open by spring."
The exact location of the new store is still uncertain.
"Now they've got to find a location," Alan Kyger, the city's economic development director, said. "Whether that interest culminates into an actual store, we will see."
According to Kyger, two potential locations for this new store are available. The vacant property right next door to Kona Bistro is currently not being used, along with the former Quiznos location.
According to Kyger, Graeter's and Dewey's Pizza were both offered locations in Bishop Square, the redevelopment of the old Wal-Mart, but Dewey's was not interested in Oxford. Grater's declined this location too, hoping for an Uptown location, which will allow them more business from students.
Graeter's will be competing with Orange Leaf, United Dairy Farmers and Spring Street Treats, but Kyger believes these businesses are much different from Grater's and should not fear any harsh competition from the new ice cream hot spot.
Starting a business in Oxford is a daunting task, even for a large company.
Enjoy what you're reading?
Signup for our newsletter
"A lot of large companies are intimidated by the business cycle in Oxford," Kyger said.
With many of their customers gone for four months of the year, students are not the only ones counting down the days of summer for their return to campus.
Miami first year, Patrick Schoeppner welcomes the possibility of a new addition Uptown.
"If my friends and I were to go get ice cream, we would go to Graeter's," he said, "I think it would be a lot of hype from Cincinnatians, but might have a hard time in the winter."
Read More
Miami students are important members of the Oxford community: We should act like it
By Kerigan Moore | October 15, 2024Despite only being in Oxford for part of the year, opinion writer Kerigan Moore believes that Miami students have a responsibility to invest themselves in the community.
Ben Shapiro, Vivek Ramaswamy and Bernie Moreno visit Miami Republicans ahead of 2024 election
By Austin Smith | October 12, 2024Miami University’s College Republicans hosted influential conservative voices such as Ben Shapiro, former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and Ohio Senate candidate Bernie Moreno at the Future Leaders Forum on Thursday, Oct. 10.
Numerous driving violations include drunken scooter crash
By Adam Smith | October 3, 2024Between Sept. 23 and Sept. 30, Oxford police responded to 17 incidents, according to the Oxford Police Department’s (OPD) reports.