UDairy's new shop to give away ice cream May 23

Free. Ice. Cream.

The three best words in the English language will come together May 23 for the grand opening of UDairy Creamery's newest location at 815 N. Market St. in Wilmington.

But the giveaway won't last long.

The new shop will hand out small cups of its delectable flavors from noon to 2 p.m. — the cherry on top of a two-hour block party that also will include an ice-cream themed poetry reading by students in the University of Delaware's Associate in Arts Program and other entertainment.

"We have no idea how many people to expect," said Melinda Shaw, the creamery's operations manager. "But we expect to make a big impression."

The Newark ice cream shop launched by UD in 2011 announced in March that it planned to open its first off-campus location along Wilmington's main commercial corridor this spring.

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Since then, property owner the Buccini/Pollin Group has completed $500,000 worth of renovations to the long-vacant storefront in preparation for the grand opening.

Like the Newark location, the Wilmington parlor — across the street from the Grand Opera House — will offer a rotating assortment of premium flavors in scoops, pints and half gallons, such as its newest flavor 8th & Market, a combination of chocolate ice cream, chocolate chip cookies and mini marshmallows.

Students from UD’s Associate in Arts Program will operate the new UDairy Creamery Market. That includes making the ice cream on site from locally sourced milk.

The Market Street shop also will offer hamburgers, gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, salads and fresh produce, along with retail items such as honey, yarn and wool blankets.

The new store will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week — except for opening day.

Contact business reporter Scott Goss at (302) 324-2281, sgoss@delawareonline.com or on Twitter @ScottGossDel.