Izzys Ice Cream in the Mill District

The sign of our times: another highly successful local company is in the works to develop a vacant city lot in the Mill District. Some of the most amazing ice cream in the twin cities through the years has consistently come from Izzy's Ice Cream. An icon to St Paul residents the owners of Izzy's have put in an offer to purchase a vacant lot at 1100 2nd Street South in the Mill District of downtown Minneapolis.

 

The plan is to build a headquarters beginning in 2012. Owners Jeff Sommers and Lara Hammel have been working with David Salmela, local architect extraordinaire, on the plans which calls for a 1.5 story building. The lot is located to the east of Gold Medal Park next to the Guthrie and Bridgewater Lofts.

 

The city recently took offers for the site which they had valued at $437,850--Izzy’s owners came in as the highest bidder for the site over multiple developers and business owners. Minneapolis economic development staff planned to hold a Tuesday evening meeting at the downtown Minneapolis Central Library to tell downtown residents more about Izzy’s plans and seek their input about the project.

 

Currently Izzy's operates out of a St Paul location on 2034 Marshall Ave.

 

Started in 2000, Izzy’s Ice Cream has been a favorite of both St Paul and Minneapolis residents for years. Celebrity chef Bobby Flay faced off with Sommers in an ice cream making competition on his Food Network show, “Throwdown! with Bobby Flay.”

 

Stay tuned for more exciting news to come on this project as it unfolds!