Klavon's Ice Cream Parlor offering free scoops in Pittsburgh's Strip District
Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Klavon’s Ice Cream Parlor is holding what could be called Free Scoop Saturday.
Klavon’s, which opened in Pittsburgh’s Strip District in 1923, is offering a free scoop of ice cream while supplies last from one of its 20 flavors, including seasonal choices such as pumpkin pie and sweet potato pie. The shop at 2801 Penn Ave. will be open from 1 to 8 p.m. Saturday.
“It’s a way to thank the city for its support all these years, including during the pandemic,” said owner Jacob Hanchar, of Sharpsburg. “It’s also a way to celebrate that we are expanding nationally.”
A second location is planned for Ohio. Hanchar has identified three historical sites in Cleveland as potential locations. The franchise will be run by his cousin Jeff Hanchar, of Tremont in Cleveland, Ohio. The plan is to offer franchise opportunities in cities of 300,000 or more people across the country, Jacob Hanchar said. It’s been in the works for seven years.
Hanchar said he thought the day after Black Friday and before Cyber Monday was perfect for free ice cream. The last time Klavon’s offered a similar special, 10,000 customers visited.
Hanchar said the ice cream shop has survived during the pandemic because it switched to delivery through the Uber Eats app early on and was one of the first small businesses in the area to offer employees $15 an hour.
“When I talk with people who are interested in a franchise, I can tell them that this is an attractive business,” Jacob Hanchar said. “It’s covid-proof and if it can survive that, it can survive anything. Plus, ice cream is fun.”
The place is reminiscent of a classic soda fountain/apothecary shop.
James and Mary Klavon first opened Klavon’s in 1923 as a neighborhood apothecary and ice cream shop. The shop closed in 1979 and sat dormant for two decades. It reopened in 1999. Jacob and Desiree Hanchar purchased it in 2013.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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