Using local milk, new ice cream shop offers wide variety of flavors
Red Bicycle Ice Cream opened in Urbana on Independence Day. Using cream from a local farm, locals will have over 16 ice cream flavors to choose from.
July 10, 2017
On the Fourth of July, Ed Mehnert had a soft opening for his new ice cream parlor which he has been actively planning since Dec. 2016. Red Bicycle Ice Cream, located at 2740 Philo Rd. in Urbana, will be open from noon to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday beginning Thursday, July 6.
Mehnert worked for 31 years as a groundwater hydrologist for the Illinois State Geological Survey. He retired in December and started work on his ice cream parlor.
“This is sort of my retirement gig,” he said.
The new shop provides new and exciting flavors that are handmade using fresh ingredients. According to Mehnert, they even make their own waffle cones. The ice cream will be made using milk from the Kilgus Farmstead in Fairbury, IL.
Mehnert has been making homemade ice cream for years and plans to use his new shop to perfect his craft.
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“We are trying to find new and exciting flavors,” he said. “We are trying to be the high end ice cream place.”
Mehnert plans to offer 16 flavors at a time, alternating between 50 to 70 different flavors that vary from cookies and cream to his unique green tea ice cream. The regular flavors will include chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and more.
As the store is established, Mehnert hopes to open his shop six days per week instead of five. He expects his new shop will be open during the summers, but not during the winter months.
