Coming Soon! Irv’s Ice Cream Shop! An affordable, family friendly shop in The Mount.
In a world filled with trendy food fads and ever-evolving flavours, sometimes it’s the simplest things that hold the most magic. For ice cream lovers, there’s something undeniably special about the classics: the rich, creamy texture of vanilla, or the comforting swirl of chocolate. Then there’s the magic of ice cream floats. Thinking about the fizzy pop of soda combined with the smooth, creamy ice cream brings a flood of nostalgia to mind. This is exactly the experience that Irv’s Ice Cream Shop aims to bring to the community, albeit drawing on more than just the original three flavours that were sold when Irv’s Ice Cream was a booth in the Shell Gas Station that was formerly on the property at the northwest corner of Mount Elgin Road and Plank Line.
A Tribute to the Original Owner
What makes this ice cream shop even more special is its connection to the past. Named after its original owner, Irvin C. Prouse, Irv’s Ice Cream Shop celebrates the roots of a timeless treat, while honouring the person who first brought it to life. Keith Prouse, Irv’s grandson, Matt Prouse, Irv’s great grandson, and his wife Katie Prouse look forward to opening their doors to the community soon, and with the same dedication, care, and love for community that Irv poured into his business, the shop will now welcome a new generation to experience the magic of ice cream and memories. More than one family in the neighbourhood has a family member who can tell a story or two about a first date at Irv’s, or a special outing to get ice cream there.
This isn’t just a business—it’s a living tribute, honouring the legacy of the original business that was a side business to an even larger endeavour-Prouse Transport Ltd.,by keeping the atmosphere and community spirit that made the shop a beloved part of the neighbourhood. It’s about remembering the simpler times when you’d walk into a local ice cream parlour and feel like you were part of something special, something rooted in tradition. In preparing for its opening, the Prouse family came across old signage from the original shop. They plan on displaying this old memorabilia with pride.
Irv’s will serve with pleasure to their customers a line up of 15-20 flavours, via window service, some voted in by community members via an online survey that Katie had provided on Facebook. Delicious Shaw’s Ice Cream has been chosen as the supplier of Irv’s ice cream, keeping things local.
A Community Gathering Spot
Opening an ice cream shop isn’t just about serving delicious treats—it’s about creating a space for the community to come together. As well, Irv’s looks forward to providing the community with jobs for our youth, something that seems to be hard to come by in today’s age.
The Future
Irv’s, while looking forward to scooping some sweetness for you, is also looking into adding other services to their shop. Coffee and freezer ice cream are current thoughts, as well as a vegan option and a sugar free option. Partnering with other local businesses will be paramount when considering these, as supporting local is very important to Katie, Matt, and Keith, as owners of Prouse Transport in Mount Elgin, a family business that was started by Irvin Prouse, where the original Irv’s, affectionately named “The Booth”, was located. And so the circle comes back around, from great grandfather to grandson to great grandson and family. One thing’s for sure: when you walk into Irv’s Ice Cream Shop, you’re not just getting ice cream—you’re experiencing a slice of history. It’s a taste of the past, wrapped in a cone of the present. Stay tuned to their socials to be up-to-date on their opening!
